U.S. Mint coin reference

1853: Liberty Seated Quarter (Variety 2A: Arrows at Date, Rays on Reverse)

Liberty Seated quarters ran for decades and include multiple subtypes.

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1853 Liberty Seated quarter with arrows at the date and rays on the reverse

Coin specifications and design

Years made: 1853

Country: United States

Denomination: Quarter dollar

Category: Circulating coin

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Silver fineness: 90%

Silver weight: Approx. 0.1800 oz ASW

Weight: 6.22 g

Diameter: 24.3 mm

Thickness: Approx. 1.75 mm

Edge: Reeded

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Design identification

Obverse: Liberty seated on a rock holding shield and pole.

1853: Liberty Seated Quarter (Variety 2A: Arrows at Date, Rays on Reverse) history

1853: Liberty Seated Quarter (Variety 2A: Arrows at Date, Rays on Reverse) records the Coinage Act of 1853 weight reduction. Arrows beside the date announced the new standard, while rays around the reverse eagle appeared only during 1853 on quarters and half dollars.

The quarter combines date arrows with rays around the eagle on a 6.22-gram planchet. Its 24.3 mm diameter and QUAR. DOL. denomination prevent confusion with the companion half dollar.