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1892-S S$1 MS68 PCGS.From The Jack Lee Collection, III 1892-S[S$1] MS68 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:110,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1892-S S$1 MS68 PCGS.From The Jack Lee Collection, III 1892-S[S$1] MS68 PCGS.
<B>1892-S<S$1> MS68 PCGS.</B></I> Only 1.2 million Morgan Dollars were coined at the San Francisco Mint in 1892, and many of these immediately went into circulation. The mintage itself makes an intriguing sale, for each and every month of the year saw exactly 100,000 coins struck. This is a remarkable and perhaps unique situation in the history of the United States Mint. Apparently most of these coins were immediately paid out and placed in circulation, for nearly all known examples today are well worn. In grades below XF, the '92-S is a plentiful and inexpensive issue. Those coins that grade XF or AU are scarce and more expensive. Mint State coins, regardless of numerical grade, are all but impossible to locate. In fact, in all Mint State grades, PCGS and NGC have only certified 103 examples of this issue, doubtless with multiple resubmissions. It is possibly the case the nearly the entire mintage entered circulation. Occasional pieces would be found with other dates, but apparently not even a single bag of Mint State examples have been found since the late 1920s, when a bag (or possibly more) was paid out at the San Francisco Mint. This event went more or less unnoticed in numismatic circles.<BR> In his <I>Textbook,</B></I> Wayne Miller had extensive commentary which is important in the context of this offering: "The typical mint state 1892-S dollar is well struck, with good luster and fewer than average bagmarks. This date is now known to be not nearly as rare as the 1893-S in fully uncirculated condition; probably two dozen or more have surfaced in the past six years [prior to 1982]. The 1892-S has been denigrated as a poor investment by most advisory letters, to the effect that it is one of the few key date Morgans which is not instantly saleable in fully gem condition.<BR> "There is not doubt, however, that the 1892-S is still very rare in fully mint state condition. Of the more than one million pieces which were struck, probably fewer than two hundred specimens exist in choice BU or better condition.<BR> "A few truly superb specimens have appeared in recent years, the finest of which realized $31,000 in Auction '79. It subsequently resold for nearly $40,000. The coin had gorgeous peripheral toning and a glowing golden-yellow center.<BR> Because of its rarity in the higher grades, the 1892-S is often counterfeited. Never buy a high-grade 1892-S without proof of authenticity. Further, because grading is so critical, examine such a specimen very carefully. Ignore advertisements of 'typical weak strike BU' 1892-S dollars. Of the twenty or so mint state specimens the author has examined, virtually all were well struck."<BR> Over the years since Wayne Miller wrote those words in 1982, there have been many changes in the numismatic marketplace. Among these is the advent of third-party certification which takes much of the guesswork out of authentication and grading. Furthermore, this issue is no longer the black sheep of the Morgan Dollar series. Mint State and especially Gem Mint State pieces, when they do appear for sale, find immediate homes with highly appreciative collectors. We expect the same will be the case when this example crosses the auction block.<BR> The present MS68 example is not only the single finest certified example, but probably the finest known example of the date. The surfaces are amazing with frosty mint luster. The obverse is essentially brilliant with only a whisper of champagne toning while the reverse has very light gold color. While this issue is generally found with a sharp strike, this example is finer than most, with nearly full detail over Liberty's ear, exhibiting only slight merging of the hair strands. A short vertical mark just above the ear is the only blemish we can find on either side of the coin, other than an extremely small dot-like mark just left of the lower left wing feathers. Population: 1 in 68, 0 finer (10/05).<BR><I>Ex: Jack Lee 1; Jack Lee 2. From The Jack Lee Collection, III</B></I>