PCGS No: 8621

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 68,000
Proofs: 0

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Diameter: ±26.8 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - ±90%
Other - ±10% 

Weight: ±258 grains (±16.7 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: "S" (for San Francisco) below the eagle on the reverse

Notes:
The finest example graded by PCGS is a single MS-63.

In August, 2004, NGC published a partial population report of gold coins recovered from the shipwrecked SS Republic.  Included were 25 1856-S Eagles, ranging in grade from Very Fine to MS-61.

Recent appearances:
NGC AU-55.  ANR “The Classics Sale,” 07/2003:742, "Medium S mintmark", not sold

AU-50.  B&M "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", 11/2000:665, $1,955.00  From Abner Kreisberg's sale of September 1971, Lot 1136

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, July 2004" by The Professional Coin Grading Service

"The NGC Census Report", August 13, 2004, www.ngcoin.com