Lot 893
OUTSTANDING 1838-D $5.00 GOLD. PCGS graded MS-61. This is the only Dahlonega Mint issue of the classic head design. The bold "D" Mintmark resides prominently above the date, soon to be banished to below the eagle, perhaps at Philadelphia's command? Bright yellow-gold in color and boldly struck throughout. The dies appear to have been lapped when this one was coined, as Liberty's forecurl is a single disconnected lump, and the left claws of the eagle show pitiful definition. There is also a light die crack through the tops of MERICA on the reverse. Only 20,583 were struck, of these perhaps 10 are known in the lower mint state grades. The NGC and PCGS combined Population Reports tell us the following for the date: in MS-60, 1 coin; MS-61, 3 coins; MS-62, 8 coins. We strongly suspect that single coins are represented multiple times as every grade point can mean thousands of dollars in value, giving people tremendous incentive to crack out and resubmit coins multiple times. It is very probable, therefore, that the actual number may be only one-half or less of those reported, and further research will have to be done to actually identify each coin, rather than just the population numbers. We do note, that none have been graded as MS-63 or higher, yet.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
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| Realized $16,675 |
