1934-S $1 MS66+ PCGS. CAC....

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1934-S Peace Dollar, MS66+
Important Series Key
Registry-Grade Example

1934-S $1 MS66+ PCGS. CAC. Roger W. Burdette reports that the San Francisco Mint was tasked to strike Peace dollars on October 26, 1934, leaving just over one month to complete production for the year. Understandably, only a small mintage of just over 1 million pieces was accomplished. Relatively few examples were saved for numismatic purposes in the 1930s, as collectors failed to appreciate the elusive nature of the issue. Q. David Bowers, in his silver dollar Encyclopedia and on PCGS CoinFacts, hypothesizes that dealers largely ignored the elusiveness of the 1934-S in the 1940s due to the misplaced belief that large quantities of the date would eventually be released from Treasury vaults. However, by the 1960s, when these silver dollar stores were largely depleted, such quantities of the 1934-S failed to appear. As a result, the 1934-S became a sought-after coin in Mint State, and today is the most challenging issue of the series to locate in Uncirculated grades.

The 1934-S began appearing at auction by the 1940s. One early auction appearance was in lot 308 of the World's Greatest Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 1.1945), in the section of the catalog on San Francisco Mint dollars, "1934. None coined 1928 to 1934. Uncirculated." The lot realized $4.50, which was actually a strong price at the time. Of course, collector demand increased tremendously in later years, once the elusive nature of this issue was better understood. Recent sales include the MS66+ PCGS specimen in lot 3802 of the FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2023), which realized $78,000.

Most Mint State examples encountered grade no finer than MS65. Premium Gems are rarely encountered, and the finest such pieces are a handful of Plus-graded examples. No numerically finer coins are reported at PCGS, and only a single finer example is listed at NGC (11/23). Well-detailed design elements show just a touch of the usual softness on Liberty's hair and the eagle's shoulder. The impeccably preserved surfaces radiate vibrant mint luster, with understated hints of sea-green and lavender-gray toning. Overall eye appeal is outstanding and the high quality within the grade is confirmed by CAC. This coin is pictured on PCGS CoinFacts. Population: 44 in 66 (9 in 66+), 0 finer. CAC: 21 in 66, 0 finer (11/23).(Registry values: N4719)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 257Z, PCGS# 7377, Greysheet# 7911)

Weight: 26.73 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS