5374

1893-S S$1 MS62 PCGS. The brief reduced-mintage years

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:5.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1893-S S$1 MS62 PCGS. The brief reduced-mintage years
<B>1893-S<img border='0' src='http://www.heritagecoins.com/images/star.gif' width=10 height=10>$1> MS62 PCGS.</B></I> For the year 1893, <I>The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint</B></I> mentioned the recent repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act: "The Act of July 14, 1890, authorized the secretary of the Treasury to purchase 4.5 million ounces of silver monthly, or so much thereof as might be offered, at the market price...". This important event occurred at a time of monetary instability in the United States, and was seen by investors as an indication that the American government was "...putting its financial house in order...", according to Q. David Bowers, "...and confidence returned. By 1895 the economy had basically recovered." For three years, however, the coinage of silver dollars was greatly reduced, after a period when massive quantities of silver were purchased by the federal government, and tons of silver coins, especially dollars, went into essentially permanent storage at several of the U.S. Mint facilities.<BR> The brief reduced-mintage years for Morgan Dollars, from 1893 to 1895, are replete with issues from the four active mints that carry varying degrees of scarcity at the Uncirculated level. However, towering above the others and difficult at all grade levels is the 1893-S, a legendary issue that has been known to even the most casual coin collector for decades. Its value in circulated condition can be attributed to the immense popularity of the series, but any collector serious enough to consider an example in AU or better condition must not only have the means, but also the patience. Only a few dozen Mint State pieces are known, and they are among the most prized silver dollars of any date and any type.<BR> Writing in 1982, Morgan dollar expert Wayne Miller had this to say about the 1893-S: "The typical 1893-S dollar is well struck, with good luster. Uncirculated specimens are not usually heavily bagmarked. Many BU 1893-S dollars