1845 $1 Liberty Seated Dollar Low Mintage of 24,500

1845 $1 Liberty Seated Dollar Low Mintage of 24,500. According to Q. David Bowers in “Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia” (Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993): For silver dollars, the year 1845 was a replay of 1844. Only a few thousand more were made. The lack of silver bullion continued to be a problem. Only two deliveries of silver dollars were made during the year. Indeed, United States silver coins of all denominations were relatively scarce on the American scene, despite generous mintages of lower denomination coins since the 1830s. When encountered, the typical silver piece was apt to be a Spanish-American (particularly Mexican) coin. An accounting of the coins possessed by the Massachusetts Bank in Boston in 1845 showed “that there was very little silver in the hands of the cashier and teller and that the gold was largely English, with French and American trailing far behind.” (The Massachusetts First National Bank of Boston, 1784-1934, by N.S.B. Gras, p. 118.) During the era, vast quantities of American silver coins were exported. Although the export of Liberty Seated dollars is not specifically mentioned in Treasury reports, it seems logical that this, the largest silver denomination, would have been an ideal candidate for such use. Circulation strike mintage: 24,500; Delivery figures by month: May: 1,000; August: 23,500. Characteristics of striking: Usually well struck, but there are exceptions.