Sublime Gem 1861-D Gold Dollar
The Incomparable Duke's Creek Example

1861-D G$1 MS65 NGC. Ex: Duke's Creek. Variety 12-Q. The only dies for the year and the final Dahlonega gold dollar variety. The obverse die is the same as on the 1860-D. On the reverse, the date is small and positioned somewhat to the left.
The 1861-D is the rarest and most famous gold dollar from this Southern mint. It is also the single most coveted coin from Dahlonega, as it is the only regular issue that was produced entirely by the Confederacy. After the Mint was seized in April 1861, between 1,000 and 1,500 examples were struck by CSA forces. It is unlikely that more than five to six dozen are known today. Interestingly, more of these exist in high grade than one might expect, and there are probably more than a dozen pieces in Uncirculated. Winter writes in the second edition of Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint that "the number of high grade specimens is greater than normal for an issue with this small a mintage, suggesting the existence of a small hoard." It is not at all a stretch of the imagination to suggest that some Confederate officer, or some involved with the production of these fabled coins, kept a handful of souvenirs of what must have been a momentous occasion for those involved: a tangible association in golden metal of the rift that was dividing the fabric of a nation.
This issue has a distinct appearance that contributes in part to the charm of the 1861-D gold dollar. It is always found with a weak strike on the obverse, and this example is no exception. The UN in UNITED is weak, but actually more distinct than usual. The IC in AMERICA is also weak but, again more fully defined than on nearly any other example of the 1861-D gold dollar we have seen. There is some weakness on the left side of the denticles, diagnostic for the issue. The remarkable reverse probably has the fullest strike we have seen on an 1861-D. The date and mintmark are full, while DOLLAR is complete except for the O, which shows some softness. There are multiple clash marks present--heaviest near the R in DOLLAR. Clash marks can also be seen along the portrait on the obverse but they are not as strong in this area. Some of the field near the left side of the portrait is semireflective, likely a result of mint personnel attempting to remove the clash marks. The surfaces of this coin are quite clean and suggest that it has been carefully preserved since it was produced almost 150 years ago. There is one tiny, shallow tick in the left obverse field and another shallow, unobtrusive mark on Liberty's cheek. These serve as excellent identifiers for future pedigree information. The luster that this piece shows is exceptional. It seems to "drip" off the surfaces and is far above-average for a date that, surprisingly, can be found with good luster. Rich orange-gold color graces the obverse, with some hazel highlights in the center and toward the edge; the reverse is slightly lighter, deepening to an olive hue at the border. In sum, an incredible and undeniably important Dahlonega gold dollar that will instantly improve the standing of any collection of branch mint gold issues.
This is the plate coin in the first edition of Winter's Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861.
Ex: Dr. Philip Weinstein; Tony Terranova; Stack's; Leon Farmer Collection; Hancock and Harwell; The Jeffrey Fisher-Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold (Heritage, 6/2006), lot 1493; The Madison Collection (Heritage, 1/2008 ), lot 3050, which realized $149,500.(Registry values: N1) (#7559)

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