1856-S $10 Liberty Head Eagle PCGS Ex.SS Central America

Very rare issue with mintage of 68,000—Save thousands when you purchase this coin!

This rare piece from the hoard found among the tragic wreckage of the SS Central America was conserved by PCGS. According to the tome "A California Gold Rush History" only 28 examples of the 1856-S ten were brought to the surface.

It carries no net grade, but it appears to us to be an AU specimen. An original 1856-S ten will cost you thousands more. Buy this coin, and you will save big money! Take a look at the photos provided and you will see that this is indeed an attractive coin, one that you would be proud to own.

David Akers writes, “The 1856-S is rare in any condition and is particularly rare in high grade. Only a few that grade as high as AU are known and there are no more than two or possibly three uncirculated examples. When available, this date is invariably only VF or EF.” Full disclosure: currently NGC has graded 7 as mint state with the finest being MS61, while PCGS has graded 12 as mint state with the finest being MS63.

San Francisco Mint operations: "Running the gold into ingots" in 1856, the year this piece was struck. Photo: Library of Congress.

The 1856-S eagle is one of the first issues from the new San Francisco Mint, which opened its doors for business in 1854. Despite a decent mintage of 68,000 specimens, the vast majority circulated in the hard-money-loving West. Therefore, the average survivor is well-circulated, about Choice XF or so.