 1854 Low 'S' in STATES. Brilliant Uncirculated. This fascinating coin shows many of the characteristics of a true Proof, of which possibly 15 were struck with another obverse die than that used to strike the present coin. The late Walter Breen actually noted this coin's distinctive obverse die in his Encyclopedia of U.S. Proof coins, drawing attention to the final 'S' in STATES, which is visibly lower than the base line of STATE.
This enigmatic coin's strike is diamond-sharp in every particular and substantial mirror field reflectivity can be observed around the reliefs, although a gentle cleaning long ago has muted the glitter of the smooth fields to some degree. Fine detail is amazingly bold, notably the feathers in Liberty's crown and the reverse wreath with its clear leaf veins. However, the reverse shows three or four small marks and although a case could be made for calling this remarkable coin a Proof, we will satisfy ourselves with Mint State with a mysterious charm all its own.
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