1873 No Arrows, Closed 3 Proof

The 1873 No Arrows Closed 3 proof represents the pre-Coinage Act portion of a year that produced three distinct proof Seated dime sub-issues. The Coinage Act of February 12, 1873 raised dime weight slightly from 2.49 grams to 2.50 grams and authorized arrows at the date to mark the change. Proof dies dated 1873 had already been prepared for the year, and the earliest pieces were struck on the pre-Act 2.49-gram planchet with no arrows and the closed-3 date logotype (the lower knob of the digit 3 nearly touching the upper knob, which Mint engravers replaced with an open-3 punch when the original closed-3 read as an 8 at small sizes). Mint records place the No Arrows Closed 3 proof component at approximately 600 pieces, paired with about 800 With Arrows proofs for a combined 1873 proof delivery of roughly 1,400 across the year's sub-issues; the 2,378,500 figure on the site's information card refers to the year's With Arrows circulation strike, not the proof issue.

The coin continues the Legend No Motto subtype with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" replacing the obverse stars and the wreath reverse unchanged. Authentication on a single specimen turns on three checks: the No Arrows date layout, the Closed 3 logotype shape, and the 2.49-gram pre-Act weight. The No Arrows date is the immediate visual separator from the With Arrows issue struck later in 1873. The Closed 3 versus Open 3 distinction requires a magnified comparison of the digit's upper and lower knobs against published references; the closed style shows the two knobs nearly meeting, while the open style separates them clearly. Surface diagnostics follow the medal-press signature: squared rims perpendicular to the field, watery die-polish lines visible under a 10x loupe (a jeweler's magnifier), complete denticles around both sides, and full wreath leaves and drapery folds. Cameo contrast appears on a modest share of the certified roster; Brilliant proofs without strong frost dominate the population.

For collectors building a Seated proof set by major sub-issue, the 1873 No Arrows Closed 3 functions as one of three required 1873 acquisitions, alongside the With Arrows proof and the Open 3 die marriage. PCGS, the Professional Coin Grading Service, and NGC, the Numismatic Guaranty Company, both attribute the Closed 3 separately on the holder when present. The Regular rarity badge on this page follows site convention for all proof entries; the scarcity is in the prose. For the broader story of Gobrecht's design, the 1873 Coinage Act, and the series' proof program, see the Seated Liberty Dime series history.