Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1873-1874
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Weight: 12.5 grams (192.90 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Proof Mintage: 1,250

Part way through 1873 the authorized weight of the half dollar denomination was increased slightly from 192 grains to 192.9 grains, the latter equaling precisely 12.50 grams. To signify this change, arrowheads were placed to the left and right of the date. After 1874 the weight standard remained the same, but the arrows were no longer used. Otherwise, the Liberty Seated with IN GOD WE TRUST motto type is the same as that used from 1866 through 1891 inclusive.

The Philadelphia Mint produced the greatest number of coins during the 1873-1874 years, so the type set collector normally gravitates toward one of these. Examples are readily available in grades from Good through Very Fine, are quite scarce in Extremely Fine grade, are scarcer yet in AU preservation, and are rare in Uncirculated state. Superb Uncirculated pieces are very rare. Proofs exist in proportion to the original mintages. One rare business strike exists in the series: the 1874-CC, of which just 59,000 were minted.