1858 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. OC-P1. Rarity-4-. Proof-62 (PCGS). OGH. Superior quality and eye appeal for the assigned grade, this bright, flashy specimen is untoned apart from delicate powder blue and pale pink peripheral highlights. Both sides are universally reflective in finish with a fully executed, razor sharp strike throughout the design. Light hairlines from ancient numismatic handling account for the grade, but there are no sizeable or otherwise singularly mentionable blemishes.As the sole Proof-only date in the Liberty Seated silver dollar series, the 1858 is very popular with advanced collectors. These coins were struck during the first year that the Mint made a concerted effort to market Proof coins to collectors. As such, more specimens were produced in 1858 than in the preceding years of the Liberty Seated dollar series. Q. David Bowers (2016) writes that 210 examples were struck for distribution as part of the years silver Proof sets. As in earlier years, the popularity of the silver dollar with collectors likely resulted in the production of additional Proofs for individual sale. The mintage was not recorded, but most numismatic scholars accept that 300 Proof 1858 silver dollars were made. Inasmuch as a small number of Proofs of this date were struck from the same reverse die that the Mint used to strike all known Proof 1859 dollars, it is possible that some Proof 1858 dollars are restrikes from that year. Those coins are attributed as OC-P2, and Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing (2018) account for only five specimens in numismatic hands. OC-P1, offered here, has an extant population of approximately 175 pieces, and it was struck from the same reverse die that the Mint previously used to coin all known Proof 1856 and Proof 1857 dollars. This nearly Choice example is appreciably scarce from a condition standpoint and will make a nice addition to an advanced collection. PCGS# 7001. NGC ID: 252C.
