Image Courtesy Of H Metivier

Q: I have an 1853 With Arrows Liberty Seated dime with a Major Die Break (Cud) along the lower left rim.  I would like your opinion now that you have seen the coin. I grade it at least AU-55. Do you agree? Also, in your opinion, could it be unknown or possibly one of just a few that survived? After all it is 152 years old and probably been in the ground most of that time.  -H Metivier

A: In looking in Cud Book by Sam Thurman and Arnold Margolis, and the Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Dimes by Brian Greer I find that neither reference list this variety.  Unfortunately, however, this is not an exhaustive search of reference material which might include club journals and other books that I do not own on the subject. Thus is impossible to me to comment on rarity. It might be well-know to specialists of the series. You might try making contact with our Seated Liberty & Barber Coinage Examiner, Chris Pillod or try the Liberty Seated Coin Club here: http://www.numismalink.com/lscc.html

I prefer to not grade coins based on images but yours does appear to be upper end. Still, you said it came out of the ground so it probably has environmental damage that would lessen its net grade.
Thanks! -Ken Potter