Going Thru The Esses 的钱币相册
During its first year of operation, the San Francisco Mint produced gold dollars, quarter eagles, half eagles, eagles, and double eagles. While the quarter eagles and half eagles are major rarities, Mint State dollars are also elusive with PCGS reporting only 22 examples finer than this piece (4/25). This sharply defined piece has pleasing yellow luster, has a few grade-limiting marks.
Ex Sand Hill Collection. A very pretty and CHOICE example of this very scarce date. Only 13,000 were struck and only 175 are estimated to survive in all grades, 20 in all Mint State grades (per PCGS CoinFacts). Well struck up with semi-Prooflike, rich orange-gold surfaces. While the initial look is that of a higher grade, close inspection shows some very minor marks consistent with the assigned grade. Coming from a mintage of 13,000 pieces, the 1860-S gold dollar is scarce, and it is underrated -- particularly in Mint State. This MS63 coin is a rarity, with most Uncirculated coins known residing in MS61 or MS62. The strike is razor-sharp, and each side exhibits rich orange-gold patina with faintly reflective fields. Light contact marks define the grade.
Small S. This is a scarcer variety for the 1856-S three dollar gold piece, which claims a mintage of 34,500 coins. That total is somewhat high in the context of the series but clearly low in the grand scheme of American numismatics. In 2005, Dave Bowers estimated 450 to 575 pieces extant in circulated grades, making the 1856-S fairly collectible. However, only 10 to 15 examples were believed to survive in Mint State, confirming the issue's status as a condition rarity. The present MS61 coin displays full strike definition on the headdress, curls, and wreath, along with, frosty glowing luster around the borders on each side. Orange-gold surfaces exhibit scattered marks and hairlines typical of a coin in this grade.
Small S. This is a scarcer variety for the 1856-S three dollar gold piece, which claims a mintage of 34,500 coins. That total is somewhat high in the context of the series but clearly low in the grand scheme of American numismatics. In 2005, Dave Bowers estimated 450 to 575 pieces extant in circulated grades, making the 1856-S fairly collectible. However, only 10 to 15 examples were believed to survive in Mint State, confirming the issue's status as a condition rarity. The present MS61 coin displays full strike definition on the headdress, curls, and wreath, along with, frosty glowing luster around the borders on each side. Orange-gold surfaces exhibit scattered marks and hairlines typical of a coin in this grade.
Despite the low mintage of just 82,000 pieces, a limited number of high-grade Uncirculated examples of the 1908-S survive. This issue was well-produced by the San Francisco Mint, with generally sharp strikes and fewer handling marks than other S-mint half eagles. Eye appeal is above average on most Choice Uncirculated or finer examples. This smooth and lustrous 1908-S displays all of the positive attributes of the issue, with exceptionally few post-mint distractions. Gleaming orange-gold surfaces flash occasional lilac accents, and the strike is crisp on both sides. Scrutiny with a loupe reveals no significant abrasions or marks on the obverse, and just a solitary carbon fleck (pinpoint in size) on the reverse beneath M in AMERICA. Mint luster flows evenly across the fields and devices.
