1861-D G$1 AU58 NGC. CAC....

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Appealing Near-Mint 1861-D Gold Dollar

1861-D G$1 AU58 NGC. CAC. Variety 12-Q. The "King of the Gold Dollars" is actually a coin struck completely under the auspices of the Confederacy. The mintage was unrecorded, but of the 1,000-1,500 coins that have been estimated struck, probably only 55-65 examples are known today in all grades. Of those known, probably 22-25 pieces are believed extant in the various AU grades.
All 1861-D gold dollars are crude in appearance when compared to their Philadelphia counterparts. All coins known show a weak U in UNITED, irregular striking quality on the denticles on each side, and planchets that show numerous defects. This particular coin was struck on a clean, problem-free planchet. Of course, the U is weak and other design elements are softly defined as well. In particular, the lower reverse appears to have been partially polished away, but this is also a trait seen on all observed '61-D gold dollars. There are no mentionable abrasions on either side of this high grade rarity, and there is only slight evidence of friction over the high points of the design. Most 1861-D gold dollars have been cleaned in one form or another over the years. That is not the case with this piece, though. Each side is hairline-free and rich reddish patina surrounds the devices, especially on the obverse.
Winter observes that "the concept of 'eye appeal' is essentially meaningless when describing this issue." However, given the inherent limitations of the production process in the early days of the Confederacy, this piece can be considered as eye appealing as one will ever find on an AU58 of this issue. And this observation is underscored by the CAC endorsement.
From The Pierson MacDonald Grieve Collection.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25CV, PCGS# 7559, GSID# 8086)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 1.67 grams
AGW: 0.05oz

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