1856-S Gold Dollar. AU-58 (PCGS).This is an exceptional near-Mint example with ivory-gold coloration and touches of original patina near the borders. The fields are smooth and without distractions, showcasing satiny luster in all but the most vulnerable regions. This preservation complements the bold design elements, with the mintmark distinctly repunched to the north east. The 1856-S is the final issue in the brief Type II gold dollar series. It is the only one coined at the San Francisco Mint and the only one dated 1856; the Philadelphia and Dahlonega gold dollars of 1856 both employed the new Type III design. Among the Type II Branch Mint issues, it is far scarcer in all grades than the 1855-O, as the 1856-S has a mintage of 24,600 pieces as opposed to 55,000 coins for its New Orleans Mint predecessor.
