1859 Mint Set with Gold

1859 marked the debut of the Indian Cent, a design which would endure for the next fifty years. It also marked the last year of the "Stars" obverse on the Dimes and Half Dimes, which would be replaced with the legend "United States of America," previously on the reverse. Keys to this silver portion of the Mint Set include the 1859-S Quarter and Dollar, the former which is unknown in Mint State! While its mintage figure of 80,000 is fairly low, it is not low enough to explain why apparently none were saved in Uncirculated condition. The 1859-S Dime is also a tough coin to locate in Mint State; PCGS having graded only three in thirty years. Adding the gold for 1859 more than doubles the size of the set – from 16 to 34 coins. Rather that discuss what is rare, it's easier to discuss what is not, for nearly all of the gold this year is rare. The Philadelphia Gold Dollar and Quarter Eagle are about the only coins which could be called "easily obtainable." The rest run the gamut from scarce (1859 $3) to very rare (1859-O $20).