1853-O Half Dollar with Arrows & Rays
NGC Graded AU-58

5055420-001

Of the two or three Civil War-era shipwrecks salvaged in recent years only that of S. S. Republic is notable for the large number of silver coins found in addition to the expected cargo of gold eagle and double eagles. By far the majority of these silver pieces are half dollars of the New Orleans Mint, and presented here is one of the more interesting examples.

1853 was the year that Congress reduced the weight of our fractional silver coins in response to widespread hoarding. The discovery of so much gold in California depressed its value as measured in silver, and the new reduced-weight silver coins circulated freely. In 1853 only the new coins were branded by the Mint with arrowheads at their dates and a glory of rays on their reverses around the eagle.

Common in worn condition, examples of the 1853-O half dollar with arrows and rays are quite scarce at or near mint state. This charming specimen is just faintly worn. Fully struck down to the smallest detail, it features bright luster of finely-grained frostiness and very clean surfaces. Numismatists will note that its reverse die clashed multiple times and is rotated about 30 degrees from normal.

Numismatic Conservation Services and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation have been awarded the exclusive contract to conserve and grade the thousands of coins being recovered from the 1865 shipwreck of S. S. Republic. These gold and silver coins are being brought to the surface by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. of Tampa, Florida. Some of the highlights from this ongoing operation are featured here to showcase the work performed by NCS to professionally conserve these treasures and by NGC to certify and encapsulate them for longterm preservation.

CONSULT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COINS AND THE WRECK OF THE S.S. REPUBLIC::

shipwreck.net
www.ngccoin.com
www.ncscoin.com
www.kagins.com
www.money.org

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) rating for "outstanding eye appeal"