Lot 4525
1856-D $1 Gold Indian. NGC graded MS-61. A better than average strike with a nice bold mint mark and the numerals in the date nearly complete. This delightful example shimmers with luster. Less than a year after the "Type 2" or Narrow Head dollars went into circulation, all concerned knew that the design must be changed: Specimens were already coming back to the Mint for recoinage, some with dates hardly legible. And many coins straight out of press had the same fault, adjust the presses as you will: weakness in centers so that obverses looked worn, dates blurry.
As soon as Longacre could be spared from completing the experimental dies for the 1855 bronze pattern cents, Mint Director James Ross Snowden ordered him to begin work on a modified design for the gold dollar. This 1856-D rarity is one of the best struck Dahlonega Mint gold dollars to that point, and a very attractive specimen. Only 1,460 minted. Pop 6; 8 finer, 3 in 62, 2 in 63, 2 in 64, 1 in 65 (PCGS # 7543) .
Estimated Value $28,000 - 30,000.
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| Realized $31,050 |
