1871 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. OC-11. Rarity-2. MS-65+ (PCGS).Both the quality and eye appeal of this premium quality Gem nearly defy belief in a circulation strike Liberty Seated dollar. The surfaces border on pristine, in fact, with a silky smooth appearance that holds up well even under close scrutiny with a loupe. Luster is full and vibrant with a satiny texture, and the strike is razor sharp from the rims to the centers. Whereas most Uncirculated No Motto and Motto Liberty Seated dollars in todays market are brilliant, this coin possesses breathtakingly beautiful toning. Olive-russet and cobalt blue peripheral highlights frame otherwise silver-apricot surfaces, direct lighting calling forth the most vivid colors. An impressive and highly significant coin, this MS-65+ is one of the two finest 1871 silver dollars known to PCGS, and it would do equally well in a high grade type set or specialized Liberty Seated dollar collection.pOne of only two issues in the circulation strike Liberty Seated dollar series with a mintage of more than 1 million coins, the 1871 barely surpasses the 1872 to rank as the most readily obtainable issue of the Motto design type. Most of the 1,073,800 pieces produced were almost certainly exported to China (the destination for most circulation strike Philadelphia Mint Liberty Seated dollars beginning with the 1869 issue). Additional examples remained stateside and likely saw domestic circulation once specie payments resumed in 1876. Several hundred pieces were still in storage in federal vaults at the time of the silver dollar releases of 1962 to 1964, these coins providing the majority of Uncirculated examples available to todays high grade type collectors. While the 1871 is readily available by Liberty Seated dollar standards, especially in circulated grades, lower grade Mint State examples are scarce in an absolute sense and coins grading MS-64 or finer are rare. Superior quality and eye appeal for the type, and with a "look" that does not suggest association with the Treasury Department releases of the 1960s, this premium Gem represents a significant bidding opportunity for the advanced collector.From the Greenway Collection. Stacks paper envelope included.
