1665

1853 Liberty Seated Dollar NGC MS64

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:13,000.00 - 14,000.00 USD
1853 Liberty Seated Dollar NGC MS64
While the Mint Act of February 21, 1853 revised the weight of the Half Dime, Dime, Quarter, and Half Dollar, Congress decided to leave the Silver Dollar at 26.73 grams. Senator John Sherman gave the reason for this in his memoirs (quoted in Bowers, 1993): "No mention of the dollar was made in the Act of 1853. It had fallen into disuse and when coined was exported, being more valuable as bullion than coin." Indeed, the 1853 is the first of several P-mint Seated Dollar deliveries that seem to have been intended primarily for shipment overseas. While it is likely that most of the 46,110 Silver Dollars struck in 1853 were exported, many appear to have remained within the borders of the United States since the 1853 is the most frequently encountered P-mint issue of this decade. Bowers even suggests that a small hoard of Mint State pieces entered the numismatic market sometime in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

Despite the fact that the 1853 is the most plentiful 1850s Silver Dollar issue in Mint State after the 1859-O and 1860-O, it is not often encountered finer than MS-64. This handsome example has shimmering milky surfaces, is lightly toned and has no rim or other problems. The grade seems limited by a few tiny chattermarks in the left reverse field. Luster consists of frosty plus die polishing lines on either side. (#6941)