1874-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. WB-1. Rarity-3. Small Wide S. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC.

1874-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. WB-1. Rarity-3. Small Wide S. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC.，Fully struck with razor sharp detail from the rims to the centers, this is an outstanding example of this brief and conditionally challenging Liberty Seated half dollar type. Otherwise brilliant surfaces reveal wisps of iridescent gold under a light. The surfaces are overall pristine and satiny and there is not much keeping this premium quality example from a full Gem rating.<p>The weight of the half dollar was modified in 1873 when the Act of February 12 mandated an increase from 12.44 grams to 12.50 grams. As it had done from 1853 to 1855, the Mint decided to add arrows to the obverse before and after the date to denote the new weight standard. This second Arrows Liberty Seated half dollar 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.<p>The Arrows type of 1873 to 1874 is more challenging to locate than its predecessor from the 1850s, in all grades. The 1874-S is the second San Francisco Mint issue of the type, with a mintage of just 394,000 pieces. Although not as scarce as the 1873-S, the 1874-S also suffered a high rate of attrition through circulation and can be challenging to locate in all but the lowest grades. In Mint State this issue is rare, especially with the superior technical quality and strong eye appeal offered here.，From the A.J. Vanderbilt Collection. Acquired from Capitol Coin Co., July 1970.，