"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 (see under Additional Information below). Although the exportation 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.

Numismatic Information

Circulated grades: Like the 1844, the enticingly low mintage of the 1845, just 24,500 pieces, may have been a reason more were saved than the low production figure would seem to indicate. Examples in circulated grades have always been onJapan's military may join US forces on patrol in the South China Sea, the nation's top uniformed officer said in an interview published Thursday, as Tokyo seeks a greater security role.

China's recent moves to build artificial islands have created "very serious potential concerns" for Japan, Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces (SDF), said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

"We don't have any plans to conduct surveillance in the South China Sea currently but depending on the situation, I think there is a chance we could consider doing so," the admiral was quoted as saying.

Kawano did not specify what actions by China might trigger the Japanese to consider starting patrols, the journal reported, and any activity by Japan's military beyond its