1859-D G$1 MS63 PCGS. Variety 11-N. (per Doug Winter's ...

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Sold on Jan 7, 2004 for:

$17,250.00 Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder

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1859-D Gold Dollar, Graded MS63 by PCGS

1859-D G$1 MS63 PCGS. Variety 11-N. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). The more common of the two varieties for this year. The 9 in the date is under the left foot of the A in DOLLAR.

RARITY INFORMATION: The 1859-D is the most available Type Three Dahlonega gold dollar. It is also one of the two or three most available gold dollars of any type from this mint, although it is far less available than the 1849-D. Between 150 and 200 pieces are known with most of these in the Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated range. There are an estimated twelve to seventeen coins known in Uncirculated condition with most of these grading MS60 to MS62. None have been graded better than MS63 by PCGS and only three have attained that level as of November 2003. The PCGS and NGC population figures for the 1859-D are significantly inflated by resubmissions.

STRIKE: It would be very hard to imagine a Type Three Dahlonega gold dollar with a better strike than this coin. On the obverse, the hair shows almost complete detail while the headdress is distinct and well-formed. The lettering shows no weakness while the denticles are clearly separated. With the exception of some minor weakness on the 5 in the date, the reverse is equally sharp. While this date is sometimes seen with very good detail, this particular coin is just about as well-defined as one could hope for.

SURFACES: There is some minor scuffing and hairlining (not from cleaning) in the obverse fields, while the reverse is nearly of Gem quality. Outlines of deeper color run along the bottoms of the lettering on the obverse and are contrasted by the fields. This is a difficult coin to appreciate without seeing it in person as even the best quality photo is likely to understate the contrast between the aforementioned light and dark obverse colors.

LUSTER: Thick "pillowy" luster blankets the obverse and reverse. This luster is well above average and among the best we have seen on just almost any example of this date.

COLORATION: Very attractive medium to deep green-gold color can be seen on both sides; a splash of light orange-gold is in the center of the reverse. This is one of the few 1859-D gold dollars that exist with fully original coloration, and it is very desirable as such.

EYE APPEAL: From the standpoint of quality this is, along with the 1861-D, one of the two best gold dollars from the standpoint of quality, in the Green Pond Collection. It has a very "fresh" look with great luster, a strong strike, pleasing surfaces, and nice color. For the collector who appreciates originality, this would make a superb type coin.

COMPARABLES: The Ashland City: 4641 coin, graded Mint State 64 that we sold in January 2003, went very reasonably at $21,850. No PCGS graded Mint State 63 has sold at auction since the Green Pond coin was first offered in 1998.

PEDIGREE: Obtained via private treaty from Heritage Rare Coin Galleries; earlier sold as lot 1011 in Bowers and Merena's May 1998 sale where it realized $33,000. This is the plate coin in Doug Winter's second edition of "Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861." It is also listed as tied for the finest known 1859-D gold dollar in the revised Condition Census. (#7553) (Registry values: P2, N15500)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25CN, PCGS# 7553, Greysheet# 8082)

Weight: 1.67 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS