1859-S $1 MS(PCGS#6948)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

6019

Grade

VF35

Price

2,760

Lot Description

Among San Francisco Mint Liberty Seated dollars of the No Motto type, the 1859-S is an isolated issue with most examples produced for a single purpose. Of the 20,000 pieces struck, the first 15,000 coins delivered were intended solely for export directly to the Far East from San Francisco. (Most Liberty Seated dollars shipped to Asia went through the London market after export from East Coast ports.) Indeed, the San Francisco-based firm of Bolton, Barren & Co. acquired 8,985 examples of the 1859-S for use in the China trade. Those pieces that went overseas were invariably lost through melting. Fortunately for today's collectors, the additional 5,000 pieces were retained stateside and saw commercial use in the West into the 1870s, if not beyond. Worn survivors of that delivery are more plentiful than the mintage might suggest, but given the manner in which this issue was distributed, combined with a lack of contemporary numismatic demand, it should come as no surprise that most are heavily impaired from rough handling in commerce or on the part of early owners. This evenly patinated, silver gray Choice VF would serve nicely in an advanced collection of Liberty Seated coinage or silver dollars.