1853 Seated Liberty Quarter PCGS XF40 Arrows and Rays

The 1853 Seated Liberty Quarter is a unique, one-year-only design notable for the arrows at the date and rays around the eagle on the reverse.  It is one of the most historically significant and visually unique coins in United States numismatics. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this coin marked a major transition period for American silver currency. Because soaring silver prices caused people to melt down old coins for profit, the US Mint reduced the weight of the quarter from 6.68 grams to 6.22 grams in 1853. To easily show the public this change, arrows were placed next to the date, and rays were added behind the eagle on the reverse side.