Silver Dollar, 1883-S, PCGS MS 65 CAC

A brilliant and frosty gem with full cartwheel effect. Essentially white, a small toning spot next to the eagle’s left wing serves as an identifier. Although both Wayne Miller and Highfill have commented on the fact that most mint state examples are plagued by bag marks, this example is a notable exception; only scant marks are noticeable with the naked eye and few are visible even under magnification. A splendid coin, among the finest known, and rare thus.

The 1883-S is an odd issue. It had a substantial mintage of six and a quarter million pieces, and although many turned up in the famous hoards of the mid-20th century surprisingly few high grade examples have survived.

Certificate number: 4223609 (Generation 3.1 holder). The PCGS data indicate that of the more than seven thousand times they have graded this issue, nineteen have been certified at this grade, and only four have been deemed finer; MS 67 PL the lone finest (last sold in 2009 [Heritage: $161,000]). According to the PCGS auction data, no examples grading MS 65 have appeared at auction since 2015. CAC cites five at this level with none higher in this designation, and the single MS 67 PL as finest. (02-18)