1912-S $10 MS(PCGS#8872)

February 2026 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part II

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

24043

Grade

VF30

Price

2,640

Lot Description

What may seem like an underwhelming grade to less knowledgeable collectors, the Choice VF quality of this 1912-S is a window into a rich history that advanced numismatists can appreciate. Unlike their counterparts struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the mintmarked issues in the Indian eagle series - particularly those from the San Francisco Mint, 1909 to 1914 - saw more extensive use in domestic commerce in the West, where specie remained the preferred medium of exchange into the early 20th century. This moderately worn survivor is clearly one of the 300,000 examples struck for this issue that entered commercial channels shortly after striking. It was likely acquired by Mr. Stack during the 1940s, which was the peak of his gold coin collecting activity, and also an era when most numismatists acquired an issue like the 1912-S in VF or EF. Of course, many examples that remained stateside had been melted by the federal government in 1937, and repatriations of the 900 to 1,000 Mint State coins known today did not begin in earnest until the 1970s. An uncommon amount of softly frosted luster remains on surfaces that also boast wonderful originality in the form of deep orange-honey color and iridescent pinkish-rose patina. Well defined for the grade with plenty of eye appeal, here is a chance to acquire an intriguing San Francisco Mint Indian eagle that did yeoman's work in domestic circulation, survived the gold recall of the 1930s, and found its way into an advanced numismatic cabinet at a time when Mint State examples of the 1912-S were significant rarities.