The 1870‑S Seated Liberty Dollar is among the rarest U.S. coins. Minted in San Francisco in 1870, these dollars were never officially recorded.
Only about 9–12 specimens are known, making them legendary in numismatic circles . One example, missing for years, resurfaced and sold recently for a jaw‑dropping $1.5 million.
Historical Mystery & Rediscovery
In 1870, no mint output was recorded for San Francisco, but mystery dollars appeared, likely struck secretly as souvenir or ceremonial pieces .
This particular coin had been lost to history until a collector uncovered it recently. Exact details of discovery remain confidential, but its emergence rekindled collector interest.
Sale Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Sale Price | $1.5 million (private sale) |
| Location | Major numismatic event (e.g. ANA) |
| Condition/Grade | Likely AU (About Uncirculated) |
| Known Population | ~9–12 specimens |
| Previous Sales | 2003 & 2005 examples sold for ~$1 million |
| Grading Services | PCGS / NGC likely used |
| Historical Ownership | None publicly recorded (recently rediscovered) |
Rarity & Collector Appeal
- Unknown official mintage: San Francisco records show no coinage in 1870, yet survivors exist .
- Surviving Examples: Commonly cited as 9–12 in existence .
- Noteworthy Sales: A coin sold in 2003 and again in 2005 each fetched over $1 million
- Condition Impact: Highest‑grade examples fetch premium prices; XF–AU condition coins start in the six‑figure range .
Why This Dollar Matters
- Numismatic Enigma
Mintage records list zero coins, yet at least nine survived. Theory: presentation pieces for Ceremonial/Souvenir use - They Appeared from Nowhere
First broached in numismatic circles in the early 20th century; one even surfaced in circulation in 1922 - Incomparably Rare
With only a handful surviving, each coin’s pedigree, grading, and provenance heavily influence its value. - A Numismatic Holy Grail
It ranks among coin collectors’ ultimate goals—topping even other legendary rarities like the 1866 no‑motto and the elusive 1873‑S
Recent Sale Highlights
- The sold coin is certified, slabbed, and graded (likely AU‑EF).
- Discreetly sold at a high-profile numismatic gathering—possibly the ANA World’s Fair of Money—though details are kept private.
- Achieving $1.5 million, it sets a new record for this date, surpassing earlier ~$1 million benchmarks in 2003 and 2005
Market Context & Comparison
- NGC Price Guide puts circulated 1870‑S values between $540k–$1.3 million as of mid‑2025
- An XF40 example listed recently at $1.325 million
- Condition is king—AU to MS grades command massive premiums due to extreme scarcity.
- This recently rediscovered 1870‑S Seated Liberty Dollar, sold for $1.5 million, underscores the allure of America’s most mysterious coinage. With only a handful known and no official mintage, each sale reshapes numismatic history.
FAQs
Why were 1870‑S dollars not officially recorded?
No federal records document San Francisco minting dollars in 1870—most experts believe they were struck unofficially as souvenir or cornerstone presentation coins .
How many survive today?
Estimates range from 9 to 12 coins, though the true number is unconfirmed due to private sales and undisclosed holdings .
Have they sold before for high prices?
Yes—examples in 2003 and 2005 sold for over $1 million, marking strong historical pricing up to the recent $1.5 million transaction .