STRIKING THE 1856-S SEATED DIMES

Recently it was reported by Bob Evans that a lone 1856-S Seated dime was recovered amongst thousands of dimes found in a bag stored in the purser's lock box aboard the ill-fated S.S. Central America. The date represents the first year that this denomination was struck at the Branch Mint. Remarkably this coin is in gem mint state condition.

In the first three quarters of 1856, the entire year’s mintage of S Mint Seated half dollars and quarters were coined principally during the months of January, April, June and July. During the fourth quarter, the only silver coins struck were Seated dimes. On December 22nd, $7,000 in silver coin was received from the Coiner. This must have been the entire year’s mintage of 70,000 1856-S Seated dimes. Thus, most of these historic pieces were probably paid out in 1857, the year that the steamer sank.

J. R. Snyder Treasurer

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
S.S. CENTRAL AMERICA FIND: FINEST 1856-S DIME (https://www.coinbooks.org/v22/esylum_v22n24a26.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web