Olevian Numismatic Rarities
1851-C Liberty Head $1 Gold Piece PCGS Certified AU53
Product Description
The discovery of gold in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill in California persuaded Congress to expand its use in coin production. In March of 1849, legislation authorized the mintage of two new denominations of gold coins, the one dollar and twenty-dollar gold pieces, which became the smallest and largest regular production gold coins ever made in terms of both value and size. At three-quarters the diameter of a dime, the gold dollar is also the smallest U.S. coin of any denomination. Despite its diminutive size, the tiny gold dollar had substantial purchasing power and amounted to a generous day’s wages in 1849. The obverse of the first gold dollar featured a left-facing Liberty wearing a coronet, or small crown, encircled by 13 stars representing the original states. The reverse bears the denomination within a simple wreath.
Production of the gold dollar continued for 40 years in various forms at five mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Charlotte (North Carolina), and Dahlonega (Georgia). Most coins were produced at Philadelphia, while Charlotte and Dahlonega produced relatively few coins. The 1851 gold dollar offered here was minted at Charlotte and bears the C mintmark. Like Dahlonega, Charlotte was a small facility built in 1838 as a result of the southern gold rush that occurred in that region. They produced gold coins only until surrendering to Confederate troops in early 1861 at the start of the Civil War. Coinage production ceased permanently shortly thereafter, and the mints never reopened after the war.
Issues from these two mints are now among the rarest gold coins in history, with limited surviving examples. This exquisite about-uncirculated example was produced during the hayday of the Charlotte mint when production was somewhat less scarce. It is an affordable example of an otherwise rare mintmark on U.S. gold coinage.
Product Details
- Measurements
4.5"L x 4.5"W x 1.5"H
- OriginUnited States
— $1 Gold Piece – Type 1 (1849-1854)
— Designer: James Barton Longacre
— Weight: 1.7 grams
— Diameter: 12.7 mm
— Composition: 0.900 Gold & 0.100 Copper
— Net Gold Weight: 0.04919 oz Pure Gold
— Obverse Design: Liberty With Coronet, Facing Left / 13 stars
— Obverse Inscription: LIBERTY
— Reverse Design: Wreath Encircling Denomination
— Reverse Inscription: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 1 DOLLAR / DATE
— Ships In Luxurious Matte Black Wood Box Lined In Velvet With A Certificate Of Authenticity
A Note About Coin Grading & Certification:
This is a certified coin and its quality and authenticity are guaranteed. The condition of a coin is officially graded on a 70-point scale according to standards set forth by the American Numismatic Association. Grades under 60 represent circulated grades, while grades from 60 through 70 represent uncirculated, or “mint-state” grades. Very few, if any, older coins are known to exist in perfect MS70 grade. Analogous to GIA certification for diamonds, independent expert certification services examine coins, certify authenticity, assign consensus grades, and encapsulate them in a sonically sealed, hard plastic holder with grade and unique serial number displayed. The two leading firms, Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), have become widely recognized for their objective grading practices and high industry standards. They continue to provide reliable consumer protection for rare coin collectors and investors and preserve the integrity of the rare coin industry. A third company, Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC), also provides secondary verification of previously certified coins. A green oval sticker is applied to those specimens CAC believes meet their strict standards of quality for the certified grade. The coin offered for sale in this listing has been certified by one or more of these leading services so you can be confident in its authenticity and stated condition.
Shipping Information
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Shipping AvailabilityCanada, United States
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Shipping PolicyDiscounted Shipping
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Discounted Shipping$15.00 first item / $15.00 each additional
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Ship In3-4 weeks ⓘ
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Return PolicyFinal sale, not eligible for return or cancellation
Size Chart
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