PCGS Nos: 5426, 5427, 5548

Mintage: 
Circulation strikes: 15,210,020 
Proofs: estimated 10

Designer: Obverse by Thomas Sully, modified by Christian Gobrecht and Robert Ball Hughes, executed by James Barton Longacre; Reverse by Christian Gobrecht

Diameter: ±24.3 millimeters

Metal Content:
Silver - 90%
Copper - 10%

Weight: ±96 grains (±6.2 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia) below the eagle on the reverse

Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions

Notes:
Why were arrowheads and rays added to the 1853 Quarter Dollar?  To signify a reduction in the weight of the coin.  Remember, this was a time when silver coins were required to contain their full value in metal.  Also, this was the first time that the silver content of the Quarter Dollar had been reduced since its inception in 1796!

The finest Uncirculated examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-67's.

The finest Uncirculated "1853/4" example graded by PCGS is a single MS-64.

The finest Proof examples graded by PCGS are 2 PR-64's.

Significant examples:
PCGS Proof-63.  Ex - Stack's section of Auction '80, August 1980, Lot 1184 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection" Sale, May 28-30, 2001, Lot 561, illustrated, sold for $31,050.00,  where it was described as follows: "1853. Arrows and rays. PCGS graded Proof 63. Here is an extreme rarity which is of inestimable importance. Breen guesses that 5 were struck in proof, on March 3, 1854, of those PCGS has graded 3 coins, this one as PR-63, and 2 higher. This coin is easily identifiable by a minor scratch below the date, and the mottled gray and gold tones on each side. The strike is amazing, the devices so full and complete..."

Recent appearances:
PCGS MS-65.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part III", May 21, 2001, Lot 1447, illustrated, not sold

PCGS MS-65.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries "The Rarities Sale", July 31, 2002, Lot 212, illustrated, sold for $12,650.00

PCGS MS-64.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1627, "Arrows and Rays", illustrated, sold for $3,565.00

IGC MS-64.  Ex - Superior Galleries' "The ANA 2001 National Money Show Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 240, unsold

Choice Brilliant Uncirculated.  Ex - Stack's "The University of Notre Dame Sale", March 20-21, 2001, Lot 335, plated, sold for $1,150.00

Choice Brilliant Uncirculated.  Ex - Stack's "The Marvin Taichert Collection of U.S. Type Coins", May 9, 2001, Lot 94, plated, sold for $7,475.00  Purchased privately from Abner Kreisberg on July 26, 1968

PCGS MS-63.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000" Sale, August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5796, "Briggs 1, 1853/4", illustrated, sold for $4,140.00

NGC MS-63.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1628, "Arrows and Rays", illustrated, sold for $1,725.00

NGC MS-61.  Ex – American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,” July 25, 2003 , Lot 391, "Arrows and Rays", illustrated, sold for $1,150.00

MS-60.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Santa Clara" Sale, November 16-17, 2000, Lot  5267, "Arrows and Rays", not illustrated, sold for $546.25

Brilliant Uncirculated.  Ex- Stack's "The September Sale", September 12-13, 2000, Lot 320, sold for $1,150.00

PCGS AU-58.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000" Sale, August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5794, not illustrated, sold for $345.00

PCGS AU-58.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 6128, not plated, sold for $414.00

ANACS AU-58.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 8136, not illustrated, sold for $1,035.00

PCGS AU-58.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 324, not illustrated, not sold

PCGS AU-58.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 325, not illustrated, sold for $460.00

PCGS AU-58.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 326, not illustrated, sold for $477.25

NGC AU-55.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000" Sale, August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5793, not illustrated, sold for $218.50

PCI AU-55.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5283, not plated, sold for $241.50

AU-50.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles' "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001, Lot 562, not illustrated, sold for $121.00

Strong Extremely Fine. Ex - Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 714, not plated, sold for $74.75

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service