 Faced with a rise in silver prices , Congress decreased the silver content of the half dime , dime , quarter and half dollar in 1853 . Longacre was asked to alter Gobrecht 's designs so new coins could be distinguished from old . He proposed placing rays around the heraldic eagle on the reverses of the quarter and half dollar , and arrows by the date for all of the affected denominations . As the act requiring the reduction in weight allowed the Mint to hire outside artists to do the work , Snowden allowed for public designs for the new pieces . No public entry was found suitable , and Longacre 's proposal was adopted . The rays tended to shorten die life and were dropped within a year ; the arrows were dispensed with after 1855 . 
