LOT WITHDRAWN A legendary Civil War date in the Liberty Seated dollar series, offered here in rare and fully original Choice Mint State preservation. This is a lovely coin dressed in warm dove and pewter gray patina, both sides also with blushes of powder blue here and there around the peripheries. Full satin to softly frosted luster shines forth nicely as the coin rotates under a light. The strike is razor sharp throughout, and the surfaces are temptingly close to an even higher numeric grade.<p>Circulation strike silver dollar coinage reached a wartime low in 1862 as a string of Confederate victories the previous year led to the suspension of gold specie payment by Northern banks in December 1861. Only 11,540 circulation strikes were produced and, while most were exported to the Orient and subsequently melted, enough either remained stateside or were fortunate to return from export to other locations to justify an estimate of 300 to 500 survivors in all grades. Circulated coins are the norm in numismatic circles, and most of the 50 or so Mint State coins believed extant are in lower grades through MS-62. Rare from both absolute and condition standpoints, and one of the finest certified survivors of a popular Civil War issue, this exceptional Choice Uncirculated 1862 dollar would serve as a highlight in a specialized collection.<p><p>
