LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 November Houston, TX US Coin Sign. #370  / 

61493

1855 G$1 MS67 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:85,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855 G$1 MS67 PCGS
<B>1855 G$1 MS67 PCGS.</B></I> In 1854, a year that saw a number of alterations to the nation's money, one noteworthy change affected the gold dollar. The planchets used from 1849, the denomination's inception, were just 13 mm across, which made those early dollars the smallest American coins ever produced. By contrast, the revised planchets were 15 mm in diameter, an increase of just over 15%, with a corresponding decrease in thickness to maintain the same gold content. To match the new dimensions, James B. Longacre created new obverse and reverse designs, which bore a strong similarity to the "Indian Princess" three dollar gold pieces that made their debut in the same year.<BR> After mere months of production, however, the poor striking qualities of the new Longacre dies forced further changes, including an enlarged and redesigned portrait. This second alteration brought an abrupt end to production of the Small Head pieces, creating a short-lived variant with just two issues minted in appreciable quantities. Like the 1854 Type Two, the 1855 is highly sought-after by type and date collectors, and the appearance of a Superb Gem presents a tremendous opportunity. While lesser-graded representatives make regular appearances on the market, Heritage has offered this issue in Superb Gem just once before, in January 2005.<BR> The spectacular example offered here compares favorably to that piece. The strongly lustrous surfaces, butter-yellow with hints of peach, lime, and pink, offer a touch of delightful satin. While striking problems eventually doomed the Type Two design, this example offers above-average definition for the issue, and the clash marks present on the reverse are faint. The fields and devices are unperturbed to the unaided eye, and even under magnification, they border on immaculate. NGC has graded just five coins in MS67 and PCGS has certified just four, with none finer at either service (10/07).<BR><I>From The Pearl E. Pemberton Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> James B. Longacre<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot