2440

1846-O S$1 MS62 PCGS. The New Orleans Mint opened its

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1846-O S$1 MS62 PCGS. The New Orleans Mint opened its
<B>1846-O<img border='0' src='http://www.heritagecoins.com/images/star.gif' width=10 height=10>$1> MS62 PCGS.</B></I> The New Orleans Mint opened its doors as a coinage facility in 1838. The impressive building, which is still standing on the border of the city's French Quarter, was designed by William Strickland. The cornerstone was laid in September 1835, and the first coins, Seated half dimes and dimes, rolled off the presses in 1838. The Mint's initial delivery of business strike Reeded Edge half dollars followed in 1839, and the first Seated quarters emerged from the presses in 1840. Production of silver dollars in the Crescent City, however, would have to wait until 1846, when the New Orleans Mint produced 59,000 coins. Some numismatists believe that the P-mint silver dollars of the 1840s may have been widely exported. Regardless of whether or not this is true, it seems likely that the '46-O production was intended for domestic circulation throughout the South. New Orleans was the principal port on the Mississippi River at the time, and many examples were also distributed to other parts of the country via that waterway and its tributaries.<BR> The relative availability of 1846-O Seated dollars in grades below XF suggests, first, that most coins remained within the United States, and, second, that this issue saw widespread circulation. Locating an attractive, problem-free XF or AU representative is challenging, and desirable Mint State specimens are virtually unknown. This is a very attractive '46-O dollar. Both sides are modestly toned in silver-gray and rose shades that leave little doubt about this coin's originality. Characteristic striking softness is seen over Liberty's head, but the definition in that area is superior to that often seen on survivors of this issue, and the balance of the features are free of bothersome incompleteness of detail. Just a few minor abrasions are present that serve to limit the grade.