1853 25C Arrows & Rays (Proof)

Series: Liberty Seated Quarters 1838-1891

PCGS PR64

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PCGS PR63

PCGS #:: 5548

Designer:: Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 24.30 millimeters

Weight:: 6.20 grams

Mintage:: 5

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $166,750 • PR67 • 04-28-2010 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1853 25C Arrows & Rays
1853 25C Arr & Rays, CAM

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	5	R-9.7	1 / 1	7 / 54 TIE
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	1 / 1	8 / 54 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 1	1 / 54 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	5
60 or Better	5
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-9.7
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	1 / 1
60 or Better	1 / 1
65 or Better	1 / 1

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	7 / 54 TIE
60 or Better	8 / 54 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 54 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PR66 estimated grade	Heritage 4/2010:2087, $166,750
2	PR64 PCGS grade
2	PR64 PCGS grade
4	PR63 PCGS grade
4	PR63 estimated grade	Jerome Kern Collection - B. Max Mehl “Golden Jubilee Sale” 5/1950:1445, $43.50 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 5/1998:1325, $99,000 - Bowers & Merena 8/1999:141 - Benson Collection, Part II - Goldbergs 2/2002:704 - Superior 1/2004:287 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 5/2015:98377, $41,125
4	PR63 estimated grade

#1 PR66 estimated grade

Heritage 4/2010:2087, $166,750

#2 PR64 PCGS grade

#4 PR63 PCGS grade

#4 PR63 estimated grade

Jerome Kern Collection - B. Max Mehl “Golden Jubilee Sale” 5/1950:1445, $43.50 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 5/1998:1325, $99,000 - Bowers & Merena 8/1999:141 - Benson Collection, Part II - Goldbergs 2/2002:704 - Superior 1/2004:287 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 5/2015:98377, $41,125

#4 PR63 estimated grade

Ron Guth:

Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays Quarter Dollars are extremely rare...and confusing. Some are stone-cold, undisputed Proofs, such as the Kaufman NGC PR66CAM that once sold for $276,000. Others, like the Norweb and Eliasberg examples, started out as Prooflike Mint State pieces but have subsequently been called Proofs. Even David Akers had trouble with the Pittman example because it was Proof on the obverse, but not Proof within the shield stripes on the reverse (Akers ended up calling the Pittman coin a Proof; NGC concurred by calling it a PR64).

Including the Proof-ish examples, there are approximately seven or eight examples known. One example is held in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. The Kaufman and Eliasberg examples are Cameo Proofs.