Gold Dollar -> 1851-C

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

Over 50% of all Type One Charlotte gold dollars (struck from 1849 through 1853) were dated 1851-C. This is easily the most common Charlotte coin of any denomination and it is obtainable in nearly any grade which the collector desires. Because of this, it is an excellent and practical type coin. It is still possible to purchase an exceptional quality Uncirculated 1851-C gold dollar for less than $5000. Most are well struck and have luster which is superior to that found on other issues from this mint. It is possible that as many as 65-75 Mint State pieces are known with as many as a dozen of these being gem quality.

Condition Census

  1. Private collection, ex Paramount Auction 81: 1323. Mint State-65 or better. Superbly toned in deep orange-gold hues.
  2. Midwestern collection, ex Paul Nugget (Spectrum Numismatics), offered for sale in the fall of 1997 for $50,000, California dealer, Bowers and Merena Norweb II (3/88): 1861. Mint State-65 or better. This coin has been graded MS-66 by both PCGS and NGC. It currently resides in a PCGS MS-66 holder.
  3. Paramount Auction 84: 802, ex Bowers and Ruddy 4/79: 11. Mint State-65 or better.
  4. National Gold Exchange (Mark Yaffe) inventory, ex Heritage 9/97: 7397, California collection, Elrod collection. Graded MS-65 by NGC.
  5. (tie) The following coins grade Mint State-65 or thereabouts:
    • Private collection, ex National Gold Exchange (Mark Yaffe), TIA (Silvano di Genova), Sotheby's 6/17/96: 5, Bowers and Ruddy Eliasberg collection (10/82): 11, Clapp, Harlan P. Smith collection sale (Chapman Brothers, 5/1906): 335. Later graded MS-65 by NGC.
    • Midwestern collection, PCGS MS-65.
    • National Gold Exchange inventory, ex Mid American Rare Coin Galleries (Jeff Garrett) inventory, 4/97. Graded MS-65 by PCGS.
    • Bowers and Merena 1/97: 287, graded MS-65 by PCGS.
    • Private collection, ex NASCA 12/76: 563, Paramount 3/74 fixed price list, Stack's Scanlon collection (10/73): 1823. The Akers plate coin. Later graded MS-65 by PCGS.
    • Private collection, ex Heritage 11/90 via private treaty. Sold as a PCGS MS-64; later graded MS-65 by NGC.