1856-S

San Francisco produced 286,000 quarters in 1856, its second year of quarter dollar production after the 1855-S Arrows debut. The arrows came off the date for 1856 and the reverse continued without rays, leaving a clean standard Seated design carrying the small S mintmark below the eagle. The 286,000 figure is the lowest of any 1856 issue across all three mints and reflects how thin San Francisco's quarter program remained in its early years; the new branch was still primarily clearing California gold rather than expanding its silver coinage output. The 6.22 gram weight standard set by the Coinage Act of February 21, 1853 carries through unchanged.

Strike characteristics show the familiar early-San-Francisco pattern: soft central detail on the head, weak stars, and rim flow lines on coins from later die runs. A fully struck example with crisp head detail and sharp leg feathers on the eagle is uncommon. Authentication runs through the S mintmark below the eagle, confirmed against PCGS or NGC reference photos to rule out the common alteration of adding an S to a more abundant Philadelphia coin of the same year. Raised tooling marks around the punch, incorrect S shape, and unusual placement are diagnostic. Population data from PCGS and NGC clusters in VG through Fine, with VF examples scarcer and XF through AU genuinely difficult. Mint State coins are rare across the board; certified MS63 and higher are condition rarities that surface infrequently at major auction.

The coin carries the Semi-Key designation, which collectors take seriously because the surviving Mint State pool is small enough that registry-set competition drives prices well above guide for original examples. For a date-set slot a problem-free Fine or VF is the realistic acquisition, and original gray surfaces should always win over cleaned and retoned alternatives. Buy certified by PCGS or NGC, watch the mintmark to confirm it matches reference photos, and treat the 1856-S as a meaningful step up in difficulty from the common 1856 Philadelphia of the same year. For the broader story of Gobrecht's design, the 1853 Coinage Act and Arrows transition, and the series' production arc, see the Seated Liberty Quarter series history.