Lot 2143
1885-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Pleasing mint bloom colors. Desirable yet inexpensive S-mint issue from the 1880s, a time of rapid growth in American commerce. During this period in our history, wages weren't growing for the average worker, in fact, pay was declining slightly (about 1% per year) in the 20-odd years of the 1880s and 1890s. However, due to incredible levels of productivity increases, people were better off as prices of everyday good and services decliined far faster than wages did, an anomoly unless one is familiar with the situation then. An average worker in a factory back then made $8.50 for a 55-hour workweek or about $455 a year, while a well-paid college professor might earn $2,000 a year (PCGS # 8368) .
Estimated Value $750 - 800.
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| Realized $863 |
