How to Identify the Seated Liberty Dime with Arrows
A collector's checklist for the Arrows dime: spotting the arrowheads at the date, reading the wreath reverse, and separating it from other Seated Liberty dimes.
Read the full Seated Liberty Dime with Arrows encyclopedia entry →
Begin at the date. The single feature that defines this type is a pair of small arrowheads, one on each side of the four-digit date at the bottom of the obverse, pointing outward. If those arrows are present on a Seated Liberty dime dated 1853, 1854, or 1855, you have the Arrows type. The pictured coin is an 1853.
Check the rest of the obverse to confirm the series. Liberty is seated on a rock, holding a shield lettered LIBERTY in one hand and a liberty-cap pole in the other, with thirteen stars around her. The reverse should read ONE DIME inside a wreath with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the rim. There is no eagle and no In God We Trust motto on this design; those belong to later or different coins.
Verify the physical coin. It should be silver-colored (90% silver), about 17.9 mm across—smaller than a modern dime is roughly comparable—and have a reeded (grooved) edge. Because the arrows announce a weight reduction, these coins are slightly lighter than Seated Liberty dimes struck before 1853. A magnet has no effect on genuine silver.
Locate the mint mark on the reverse, not the obverse. A small O near or within the wreath indicates the New Orleans Mint; no mint mark indicates Philadelphia. This matters because the mint often drives value more than the date within these three years.
Be cautious with authentication. The main look-alikes are ordinary Seated Liberty dimes without arrows (a different sub-type) and, more seriously, coins on which arrows have been added or a date altered to fake a scarcer variety. Cleaning, polishing, and rim damage are common on old silver and reduce value. For any coin you believe to be a scarce date, mint, or high grade, seek certification from a recognized third-party grading service before you buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know it's the Arrows type and not a plain Seated Liberty dime?
Look for the two small arrowheads flanking the date on the obverse. Only the 1853–1855 arrows sub-type has them; Seated Liberty dimes without arrows are a different variety.
Where is the mint mark on this coin?
On the reverse, near or within the wreath. A small O means New Orleans; no mint mark means Philadelphia. There is no mint mark on the obverse.
What size and metal should it be?
It is 90% silver, about 17.9 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge, and is non-magnetic. It is slightly lighter than pre-1853 Seated Liberty dimes because of the weight reduction the arrows mark.
What are the main authentication risks?
Added or altered arrows and re-dated coins meant to imitate scarcer issues, plus cleaning and damage on old silver. Have scarce dates, mints, or high grades verified by a reputable grading service.