Lot 1454
1873-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck. Near immaculate frosty mint surfaces overlaid with a film of uniform light pale violet toning on both sides. Despite noble intentions, the Mint Act of February 12, 1873 failed to effect an immediate increase in half dollar circulation. In the intervening months between February, 1873 and the Mint Act of January 14, 1875, half dollar mintage figures remained at post-1861 levels. The 228,000 half dollars that the San Francisco Mint coined in 1873 with arrows at their dates fall into this category. Although often considered a 'Type coin' by many who overlook any silver delivery that lacks a CC mintmark, the 1873-S is a scarce date whose rarity in high grades equals that of the 1873-CC and 1874-CC.
Born in part out of the chaos of European warfare, many of the 1873-S Arrows halves perished in the equally dangerous world of the American frontier. One of the Condition Census pieces, this lovely MS64 specimen is truly a coin to admire. The satiny surfaces reveal an underlying glow like the moon on misty night. Nicely frosted, the devices exhibit full detail. Both sides display their patina freely, without spotting or discoloration, and the fields are free of post-production marks. The present lot offers the buyer a fleeting opportunity to hold a numismatic treasure that crosses oceans of time to link us to the past. Pop 2; 3 finer in 65. (PCGS # 6345) .
Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000.
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