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Description

Beautiful 1854 Type Two Gold Dollar, MS66 ★★★

1854 G$1 Type Two MS66 ★ NGC. The first section of the 1849 Coinage Act reads:
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be, from time to time, struck and coined at the mint of the United States, and the branches thereof, conformably in all respects to law, (except that on the reverse of the gold dollar the figure of the eagle shall be omitted,) and conformably in all respects to the standard for gold coins now established by law, coins of gold of the following denominations and values, viz.: double eagles, each to be of the value of twenty dollars, or units, and gold dollars, each to be of the value of one dollar, or unit."
Previously, only quarter eagles, half eagles, and ten dollar eagles had been produced by the United States. The significant gold deposits first discovered in California the prior year were undoubtedly the motivation behind this coinage act authorizing two additional gold coin denominations. By the end of 1849, nearly 1 million gold dollars had been struck at the four U.S. mints.
In 1854, the size and design of the gold dollar were altered slightly. The coins were made thinner, with the diameter increased from 13 to 15 millimeters. The obverse portrait of Liberty was changed to the likeness of an Indian Princess, and also made smaller. This new Type Two design had problems, however, like the Type One; and Type Twos were only made from 1854 through 1856, creating a scarcer type for coin collectors.
This marvelous Premium Gem example displays intense, shimmering mint frost over honey-gold surfaces. The design elements are sharply struck and the coin is free of post-strike distractions. Moderate clash marks are noted on both obverse and reverse, a typical feature of the Type Twos. Although eight pieces have been graded as MS66, by NGC, this is the only one of those to also receive the coveted « designation, for exceptional eye appeal. Three coins have been certified numerically higher, by NGC, but none of them has the « (5/08). (Registry values: N10218)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25C3, PCGS# 7531, GSID# 8015)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 1.67 grams
AGW: 0.04838oz
Mintage: 783,943


View Certification Details from NGC

Auction Info

Auction Dates
Jul-Aug, 2008
30th-3rd Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,011

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Jul 31, 2008 for: $52,900.00
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