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 Replies: 15 / Views: 994 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
$994. This is my second 1846-O Seated dollar. The first one I regretfully sold for almost twice what I paid for it 3 years earlier. I am always on the lookout for these and this one popped up. 59,000 coins were produced from only a single known pair of dies. Many are thought to have been melted. Always thought that the first branch Mint dollar was something special. Thoughts? Thanks!  Q. David Bowers: The following narrative, with minor editing, is from my "Silver Dollars & Trade dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia" (Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993). Coinage ContextNew Orleans issue: After construction commencing in 1835 and the setting up of equipment in 1837, the New Orleans Mint opened for business in 1838. However, it struck no silver dollars until 1846. This was the first of only four dates of Liberty Seated dollars from this mint: 1846-O, 1850-O, 1859-O, and 1860-O. Although some 1846-O dollars may have been exported, and most likely many were melted, many also circulated within the confines of the United States, probably in the Mississippi Valley. The Assay Commission found that silver coins (of all denominations, taken as a class) from the New Orleans Mint produced in 1846 assayed a remarkably high. 9011 fine, which was above the legal standard (but still within the legal tolerance of .987 to .903); This was far out of the range of normal variation from the .900 standard, as reflected in Assay Commission reports. Numismatic InformationCirculated grades: The 1846-O has always been relatively easy to find in circulated grades below Extremely Fine (but EF or better pieces are quite rare). I suspect that this issue circulated widely and saw use in the channels of commerce up and down the Mississippi River Valley, especially riverboats (which numbered in the hundreds) and casinos. Relatively few must have been melted or exported. As the first branch mint silver dollar and as an issue of the New Orleans Mint, the 1846-O has always occupied a place of affection in collectors' hearts.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Very choice-looking coin. I'll say EF-45.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
Agreed, good looking example. Also at XF45.
Is the color accurate to the pics? Or are these sellers pics?
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
11880 Posts |
These are seller's pics so I'll have to wait a few days to see what it looks like in hand.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3625 Posts |
The no-motto reverses wear a little bit differently than the motto reverses. There ends to be slightly more wear on the eagle's head and neck than the motto coins. I think the obverse of your coin just makes AU-50, The reverse comes up just a little bit short. This is another classic example of why we need EF-48.
Since EF-48 doesn't (officially) exist yet, it defaults to EF-45.
My only concern is the scratch the runs from Liberty's chest, through her elbow, to the 12th star. The contact on the chest is fairly deep. I don't think it is enough to detail an EF, but it might just be enough to detail an AU.
The reverse is fantastic.
This is a really nice coin. I like the even wear, overall strike quality, and eye appeal. You are right, there aren't many of these above mid-grade. Nice one!
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18640 Posts |
might just squeeze by at XF45
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5177 Posts |
Not choice, the scratch under the breast and through the elbow precludes that. That said: XF45.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
The gouge/scratch is much more evident here. Really detracts, but it a tough date.
Edited by Coinfrog
10/13/2021 5:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3625 Posts |
 I'm pausing now on whether this may get detailed. I didn't think so from the seller's photos, but the gouge on LIBERTY's chest seems fairly recent. It really does stand out. I still think it's the future EF-48, but present day EF-45. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
Color looks much better in your pics. I'll be the minority. Hit to the chest, surprisingly, doesn't bother me. I'll stay at XF45 straight.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Probably straight, but even scarce as it is, will never fetch full money for the grade.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
857 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7613 Posts |
Solid XF 45 . Greenbeanable, too! (If not already!)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Don't see a green bean on this one.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
ICG opined that it was AU50.  |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 994 |
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Posted 10/06/2021 7:48 pm
