1872-S $1 MS(PCGS#6970)

Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3190

Grade

XF45

Price

11,590

Lot Description

Light silver gray patina on boldly defined, minimally marked Choice EF surfaces. Although numismatic estimates on the number of 1872-S dollars extant have varied widely through the years, we are inclined to agree in general with Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing's (2018) estimate of 500 coins in all grades, as well as Q. David Bowers' (2016) more conservative range of 300 to 400. These are from a mintage of just 9,000 pieces, which the latter author places in historical context:<p><em>From </em>Banker's Magazine<em>, November 1872: U.S. Coin in China. The new silver dollar recently struck in the San Francisco mint is said to be adapted for general circulation in China, where the want of silver coin has been much felt. It is worth six percent more than the old dollar, and will be received in China on the same terms as the old Mexican dollar, which has hitherto been at a premium of five to eight percent.</em><p>Even so, some 1872-S dollars remained in the United States and circulated in the West, which remained on a coin basis at least through the end of the 19th century. This domestic circulation - rare for a post-1850 Liberty Seated dollar issue - accounts for the limited number of survivors, previous few of which are choice enough to support CAC approval at their certified grade point.