1854-S Liberty Head Eagle. MS-61 (NGC).An impressive Condition Census example with overall yellow-gold coloration and a subtle pinkish toning in the upper reverse. Sharply defined across all elements and intensely lustrous. A thin, horizontal mark in the left obverse field serves as a convenient pedigree marker. 1854 represents the first year of eagle production at the San Francisco Mint, where a sizeable quantity of 123,826 coins was struck. It would not be until 1879 that a U.S. Mint would once again strike eagles to a greater quantity and, as a result, the 1854-S issue remains relatively available overall in todays market. However, Uncirculated example are incredibly rare, as the vast majority of this mintage was subject to extensive circulation through the American West. PCGS and NGC have a combined population of just 16 Mint State examples topping out at MS-62+, those figures being undoubtedly inflated by resubmissions. Just 2 coins rank finer than the present piece at NGC, both of those graded MS-62. The experts at PCGS CoinFacts suggest that as few as 4 distinct Mint State examples remain, emphasizing the significance of the present piece.PCGS# 8615. NGC ID: 263K.NGC Census: 3; 2 finer.