Scarce Early Mintmark
Fine die crack from the tip of Liberty’s neckline to the rim at right.
While there are certainly many later date issues in this series with surprisingly low populations in the upper mint state grades, the pre-1900 mintmarked coins have always been tough to buy. 1893-S certainly fits that model with PCGS showing only eight coins certified as MS66/66+ topped by two MS67s. The Blay 1893-S, arguably the finest of the issue, exhibits strong satiny luster under moderate toning which is attractive although a little streaky, dominated by orange, rose and blue, with yellowish green about the reverse rim. The strike is incredible, with every fine detail in bold relief.
This 1893-S was the first of its issue to be certified by PCGS as MS67, and it remained the only PCGS MS67 until at least mid-2016. A second PCGS MS67 1893-S 10c #84018201 appeared in the Heritage Auctions sale of August 2017, as lot 3931, selling at $35,250 to Dell Loy Hansen. While both coins share the same grade from PCGS and both are included in the CAC Census, a side-by-side comparison favors the Blay specimen as the clear better of the two.
Provenance
Heritage Auctions, May 2007, lot 2074 at $63,250 as PCGS MS67 #8362598; Heritage Auctions, April 2009, lot 2265 at $51,750 as PCGS MS67; Stewart Blay.