Gold Dollar -> 1849-C Closed Wreath

Vitae

  • Gold Dollars 1849 - 1859
  • Type One 1849 - 1853
  • Diameter: 13 millimeters
  • Fineness: .900
  • Weight: 26.8 grains
  • Designer: James B. Longacre
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Coiner: Emmor Graham

The vast majority of gold dollars struck at the Charlotte Mint in 1849 show a Closed Wreath on the reverse. This interesting first-year-of-issue is notable for having a distinctively convex obverse which makes most specimens appear more worn than they actually are. Approximately 100 exist with the typical coin grading Extremely Fine. This issue becomes very scarce in the higher AU grades and it is very rare in Mint State with just seven to nine known. Due to the great rarity of the 1849-C Open Wreath, this is the issue from 1849 which most Charlotte collectors focus on.

Condition Census

  1. Private collection, ex Dr. Alfred Globus collection, Kagin 7/74: 1327, possibly ex B. Max Mehl's Atwater sale, 6/46: 2141. Mint State-63 or better. Unseen by the author but described as a "gem."
  2. North Georgia collection, ex Stack's 10/94: 752, James Stack collection. Later graded MS-63 by NGC.
  3. New Jersey dealer, ex Heritage 1996 ANA sale: 8097. Graded MS-63 by PCGS; earlier graded the same by NGC. The most fully reflective example of this variety which I have seen.
  4. Paul Dingler collection, ex Chicago collector, Doug Winter/Lee Minshull inventory, Heritage 9/97: 7379, California collection, Elrod collection. Graded MS-62 by PCGS. The plate coin in this book.
  5. (tie) New York collection, acquired via private treaty from Heritage Rare Coin Galleries in 1995. Graded MS-62 by NGC (and) Private collection, ex Stack's 3/91: 813. Mint State-62 (and) Western North Carolina collection, graded MS-62 by PCGS.