1873-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. WB-1, the only known dies. Rarity-3+. MS-64 (NGC).

1873-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. WB-1, the only known dies. Rarity-3+. MS-64 (NGC).A brief and challenging half dollar design type that is seldom offered in the finer Mint State grades. Notice the depth of the strike and the satiny texture to the fields. Toned with russet-gold and deep blue in a somewhat irregular fashion, especially on the reverse. Highly lustrous, and certainly among the finest certified survivors of both the type and issue. The weight of the half dollar was modified when the Act of February 12, 1873, mandated an increase from 12.44 grams to 12.50 grams. Following the precedent set in 1853, the Mint once again added arrows to the obverse before and after the date for coins struck to the new weight standard. This type remained in production only in 1873 and 1874, after which the basic Motto type returned, albeit with the weight standard as mandated in 1873.The Arrows type of 1873 to 1874 is more challenging to locate in all grades than its predecessor of 1854 to 1855. The type as a whole is very scarce in Choice Mint State and rare any finer, especially relative to the strong demand from advanced type collectors. Most high grade survivors are examples of the Philadelphia Mints issues of 1873 or 1874, the 1873-S far more elusive and seldom encountered. The mintage of this issue is limited at just 228,000 pieces produced, most examples entering circulation on the West Coast and remaining there until worn out or lost. Over the years we have had the privilege of bringing only a handful of Mint State coins to auction, a fact that underscores the fleeting nature of the present offering. Sure to see spirited bidding.NGC Census: 3; 3 finer (all MS-65).From our Baltimore Auction of November 2012, lot 3153.