1855 G$1 MS64 PCGS....

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Yellow-Green Near-Gem 1855 Gold Dollar
Desired Type Two Issue

1855 G$1 MS64 PCGS. In the late 1840s-early 1850s, two new denominations introduced the most most diminutive U.S. coins ever produced for regular circulation. The gold dollars, premiering in 1849, had a diameter of 13 mm--just about a half-inch--and weighed 1.67 gm, about one-twentieth of a troy ounce. (This was, of course, proportional to the largest regular-issue federal gold coin, the double eagle, which weighed about one troy ounce.)
In 1851 the three cent silver coin debuted, weighing four-fifths of a gram--but even that denomination, which quickly garnered the scornful appellation of "fish scales," was one millimeter larger than the gold dollar.
Both were easily lost, of course.
The "solution" for the tiny gold dollars made them larger in the Type Two format, introduced in 1854 and continuing through 1855 (1856 in San Francisco). The diameter was 2 mm larger--and it placed the high points of the design on opposing sides, with miserably incomplete strikes, often accompanied by die clashing, the usual result.
This piece is one of the fortunate few survivors that has managed at least to escape the weak strike syndrome. The centers are sharply struck, and there is no weakness on the digits or Liberty's hair. The yellow-green surfaces do show numerous die clash marks, as usual, which do not affect the technical grade or the strong eye appeal. PCGS has certified only 52 pieces finer (9/10).(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25C4, PCGS# 7532, GSID# 8016)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 1.67 grams
AGW: 0.04838oz
Mintage: 758,269

View Certification Details from PCGS