1868-S Liberty Seated Dime. Fortin-101, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC.

1868-S Liberty Seated Dime. Fortin-101, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC.，Soft satin luster is seen on both sides of this nicely struck San Francisco Mint dime. The surfaces are minimally toned in pale pinkish-silver, smooth for the assigned grade and worthy of a strong premium. The 1868-S is far scarcer than its identically dated Philadelphia Mint counterpart in all grades, and not only because of a lower mintage of 260,000 vs. 464,000 pieces. San Francisco Mint coinage continued to circulate freely on the West Coast during the early Reconstruction era, whereas Philadelphia Mint coins were kept from entering commercial channels until the following decade. Not only did the present example avoid heavy wear and loss through circulation, it has come down to us with premium Choice quality and strong eye appeal.<p>There is only a single die marriage known for the 1868-S dime, although a rare die state (Fortin-101a) with strike doubling on the ribbon at the base of the reverse wreath carries a strong premium among specialists.，From the A.J. Vanderbilt Collection. Earlier from Superiors sale of the Bernard Turkus Collection, June 1981, lot 334; via Stacks. Lot tag included.，