7497

1855 G$1 MS65 PCGS. The Mint responded almost imm

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:24,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855 G$1 MS65 PCGS. The Mint responded almost imm
<B>1855<G$1> MS65 PCGS.</B></I> The Mint responded almost immediately to the influx of large amounts of gold that were being found in California beginning in late 1848. In 1849, the gold dollar was first struck and the single die trial for the large denomination double eagle was produced. Large production numbers from almost all the mints of these new denominations helped soak up much of the excess gold that was entering the commodity markets. After a few years in circulation the gold dollars were determined to be too small, measuring a scant 13 millimeters. Engraver James B. Longacre produced new dies in late 1854 that increased the size of the gold dollar to 15 millimeters and depicted Liberty as an Indian Princess with a small head, but used the same amount of gold in the planchet. This design lasted until mid-year 1856 when Liberty's head was modified once again to the large head or Type Three design. These changes created a very elusive type coin for collectors in the Type Two gold dollar.<BR> While it may be a commonplace to most collectors that lower grade Type Two gold dollars were widely saved and are widely available today, this coin always grabs the attention of the serious collector when it is available in Gem condition. The surfaces of this piece are smooth and virtually unblemished, and conspicuously lack the almost-always seen die clash marks in the fields. The mint luster sparkles and displays a subtly variegated rose and lilac coloration that is most attractive, especially when viewed with a loupe. The only mentionable "flaw" we see and find worthy of reporting is the always-seen softness in the centers, hardly noticeable on the obverse but apparent at the tops of 185 in the date on the reverse.