Part I. Die Subtypes:

1853 Seated Liberty Coins with and without arrows

Definition: Under the Coinage Act of February 21, 1853 arrows were placed on both sides of the date to indicate a weight reduction in the coin. This affected the 1853 half dime, dime, quarter, and half dollar. The arrows next to the date were discontinued in 1856 for all denominations.

The images below show an 1853 half dime without arrows (image to the left) and one with arrows (image to the right).

Images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions.