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1854-D G$1 MS62 NGC. Variety 6-H. Obver

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1854-D G$1 MS62 NGC. Variety 6-H. Obver
<B>1854-D<G$1> MS62 NGC.</B></I> Variety 6-H. Obverse and reverse die scratches are present, as seen on all examples.<BR> The obverse is uncommonly sharp for this date, with the stars showing strong detail on the radial lines and the hair nearly full, with many of the individual strands visible. The reverse shows a more typical strike, with a bit of weakness seen on LLA in DOLLAR and the 54 in the date. This piece still rates as one of the better-struck 1854-D gold dollars. The surfaces have some light ticks and hairlines in the fields, with the most visible of these present on the obverse. However, nothing can be seen with the unaided eye that is deep or detracting. Unlike many pieces, this coin does not have clash marks, and it appears to be a fairly early die state. The luster is satiny and is slightly subdued in appearance, probably because of the depth of the orange-gold coloration that is seen on the obverse and the reverse. Almost every 1854-D shows poor luster, and this piece is far above average in this regard.<BR> The 1854-D gold dollar is an issue that requires a bit of explanation for the non-specialist. It has a number of distinct Mint-made die characteristics. As mentioned, on the obverse there are always raised die scratches around many of the stars. Large, raised die scratches can also be seen on the reverse to the left of the mintmark, and up to the U in UNITED. Beginners have often mistaken these for damage.<BR> Just 2,935 examples were produced of the 1854-D, and this is the third rarest Dahlonega gold dollar, trailing only the 1855-D and the 1861-D. Fewer than 100 pieces are known, with around two dozen in AU and another dozen or so in Uncirculated. Nearly every Uncirculated coin is in the MS60 to MS61 range, and properly graded MS62s are extremely rare. The Duke's Creek Collection specimen is clearly in the Condition Census and is certainly among the best to have come on the market in some time.<BR><I>Possibly ex: Bareford Collection (Stack's, 12/78), lot 26; Hancock and Harwell; Georgia Collection; Hancock and Harwell; Leon Farmer Collection; Hancock and Harwell. This is also the plate coin in the first edition of Doug Winter's book</B></I> Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861.<BR><I>From The Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold.</B></I>