Lot 770
1855. Arrows. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. CAC Approved. Lovely blue and golden toning. Balanced and subtle champagne, lavender, and shimmering blue-as-steel color over silvery surfaces with a satin consistency. Fully struck with outstanding hair and feather detail. Rich luster swirls over surfaces spared of any abrasions or heavy die polish lines that are seen on some 1855 With Arrows halves.
Following close upon the Arrows and Rays issue produced in 1853, Mint Director Snowden modified the design in 1854 by retaining the arrows at the date but removing the rays from around the eagle. Breen noted that the combination of increased time of production, the cost of die sinking and the reduced die life were all factors in Snowden's decision to eliminate the rays in the new issues of 1854. Struck from 1854-1855, the With Arrows, No Motto Seated half dollars were produced at Philadelphia, New Orleans and San Francisco. The issues of this type struck in Philadelphia are seen in gem condition much less frequently, oddly enough, than the ones made at New Orleans. The 1855 is second only to the 1855-S with regards to conditional rarity. An exciting time to acquire one of the finer Gems and most elusive issues of the brief With Arrows, No Motto half dollar series! Pop 5; 4 finer in 66 (PCGS # 6281) .
Estimated Value $8,000 - 8,500.
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| Realized $12,925 |
