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Description

1856-S Dime, MS63
Only 70,000 Coins Struck
The First San Francisco Dime Issue

1856-S 10C F-101, R.5, MS63 PCGS. The bold strike typically found on the 1856-S is on full display throughout this conditionally rare Select representative. Silver-gray surfaces with occasional golden tinges exhibit subtly frosted luster with moderate granularity in the fields. Three minute ticks on Liberty's left (facing) arm are the only mentionable flaws. A not-to-be-missed S-mint key date. Housed in a green label holder.

Variety: Fortin-101, attributed by a high, downward-sloping date, Large S mintmark, and the absence of die cracks on both sides. Rated R.7+ in Mint State by Brian Greer.

Population Data (9/15): PCGS lists five grading events in MS63 (two in MS63+) with three submissions finer. There are no Select coins at NGC, but the service does report one piece finer in MS64.

Heritage Commentary: Two years after it opened in April 1854, the San Francisco Mint struck its first issue of dimes. The mintage totaled just 70,000 coins, and CoinFacts estimates that 300 or so pieces survive. Only 15 examples are thought to exist in Mint State. Gene Gardner's MS64 PCGS example of this date, ex: Simpson, brought $19,975 in Part One of our Gardner Collection Signature (Heritage, 10/2014).

Provenance: Purchased from David Lawrence Rare Coins (7/1998).

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 538089, Base PCGS# 4613)

Weight: 2.49 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper


View Certification Details from PCGS

Auction Info

Auction Dates
October, 2015
28th Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 754

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Oct 28, 2015 for: $11,750.00
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