Exceptionally well preserved for the issue, this condition rarity 1859-S dollar is also uncommonly well struck with delightful toning. The detail is uniformly bold, if not sharp throughout the design, to include Libertys head on the obverse and the tops of the eagles wings and left (facing) talon on the reverse. Satiny in texture and overall smooth, even after careful scrutiny we see nothing about this coin that would preclude an MS-64 grade. Mottled rose, apricot, powder blue and sandy-gold patina is more varied on the obverse and provides outstanding visual appeal for both sides.Alone among San Francisco Mint Liberty Seated dollars of the No Motto type, the 1859-S is an isolated issue most examples of which were produced for a single purpose. Of the 20,000 pieces struck in total, the first 15,000 coins delivered were intended solely for export. Indeed, the San Francisco-based firm of Bolton, Barren & Co. acquired 8,985 of these coins for use in the China trade. Those examples that went overseas -- 75% of the mintage -- were invariably lost through melting. Fortunately for todays collectors, the additional 5,000 pieces making up the total mintage were retained stateside and released into circulation on the West Coast. Survivors of that delivery -- and they are few -- are usually well worn, often impaired, and constitute the majority of 1859-S silver dollars obtainable by todays collectors. Given the manner in which this issue was distributed, combined with a lack of contemporary numismatic demand, it should come as no surprise to read that the 1859-S is a formidable rarity in Mint State. Surviving almost certainly as a matter of chance, this high Condition Census example is fully Choice in quality, attractively toned, and would serve with distinction in the finest collection of Liberty Seated coinage and/or silver dollars.,,PCGS# 6948. NGC ID: 24YZ.,PCGS Population: 1; 1 finer (MS-64+).,
