1856-S $10 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $10 1838-1907

PCGS MS62+

View More Images

PCGS MS61

PCGS #:: 8621

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 26.80 millimeters

Weight:: 16.70 grams

Mintage:: 68,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $19,550 • MS63 • 12-01-2000 • Christie's

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1856-S $10

Die Varieties

Go To Grade

Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	250	R-6.6	48 / 64 TIE	84 / 183 TIE
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	26 / 64 TIE	44 / 183 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 64	1 / 183

Survival Estimate
All Grades	250
60 or Better	5
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.6
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	48 / 64 TIE
60 or Better	26 / 64 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 64

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	84 / 183 TIE
60 or Better	44 / 183 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 183

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade
2	MS62+ PCGS grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS61 PCGS grade	Ellen D Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Simpson Collection
5	MS61 PCGS grade
5	MS61 PCGS grade
5	MS61 PCGS grade
5	MS61 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

#2 MS62+ PCGS grade

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

#5 MS61 PCGS grade

Ellen D Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Simpson Collection

#5 MS61 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

One variety of the 1856-S Eagle features a mintmark placed beneath the talon and the fletch of the arrow. While this is an unusual positioning for an S-Mint No Motto Eagle, it is normal for most other mintmarked No Motto Eagles. All this indicates is that Mint employers were not always consistent in their placement of mintmarks, which were added by hand to the individual dies.

David Akers (1975/88):

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. It is interesting to note that despite its considerable rarity, the 1856-S is the second commonest S-Mint Eagle (the 1854-S is the most common) prior to 1879. This is a strong indication of just how rare these San Francisco Mint issues are because the 1856-S is by no stretch of the imagination common. Both small and large mintmark varieties exist and the Small S variety is the more common.