 1921'S' Very Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, and ever so close to a full Gem grade. The surfaces and lustre are well beyond what is usually encountered for this issue. Blazing mint lustre inhabits the fields, and the devices are generally well struck. Of course there is minor striking softness on Liberty's head, hand and skirt, but enough definition is present to outline the important design elements, unlike many seen of this date. The obverse sports traces of streaky russet toning while the reverse is brighter and has scarcely a hint of toning. A magnifier will confirm the quality of the surfaces, with scarcely any signs of handling present. For identification purposes there is a vertical nick on the upper left of the Sun, and on the reverse the eagle has a couple of minute scuffs within the wing. A bisecting thin die crack meanders up from the rim through the second 'L' of DOLLAR up the eagle's leg to the top of its wing.
The mintage for the 1921'S' came in at 548,000 pieces. While this is more than double the number coined of the Philadelphia or Denver Half Dollars of the year, precious few were saved in Uncirculated grades. Thus, collectors have to fight dearly over those that do come up for auction and most go away empty handed. Obtaining a near Gem as offered here is quite an opportunity, from which only one buyer will prevail. This is the key date to the entire series, and a delightful coin in every way.
Ex Stack's Auction, May 1986, lot 1033.
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