United States 1876 gold dollar
The introduction of the gold dollar in 1849 filled a desperate need as silver dollars were hoarded, being overvalued, and paper dollars issued by the aptly named "broken banks" were not trustworthy. Numismatists divide the gold dollar issues into three types: type I (1849-54), 13 mm diameter, type II (1854-56), 15 mm diameter, and type III (1856-89), 15 mm diameter with a revised headdress. This date is one of many scarce late dates. The gold dollar was finally dropped in 1889, long after it had become unwanted. This specimen was lot 10131 in Stack's Bowers Whitman Expo auction (Baltimore, November 2017), where it sold for $18,000. The catalog description noted,
"1876 Gold Dollar. Proof-65+ Ultra Cameo (NGC). This gorgeous gold dollar offers stark cameo contrast between satiny devices and highly reflective fields. The strike is full throughout, and even vivid orange-gold patina provides memorable eye appeal. Proof gold dollar production at the Philadelphia Mint amounted to 45 coins in 1876, the highest yearly total for the type from 1868 through 1880. We suspect that the increased mintage for this issue is due to the fact that the United States celebrated its centennial in 1876, and the Mint likely anticipated increased sales to collectors seeking numismatic keepsakes. In the end, however, sales proved to be only marginally greater than for other years during that era. With an estimate surviving population of only 22 to 28 coins (per PCGS CoinFacts), we suspect that no more than 30 or 35 examples were actually distributed to contemporary collectors. This is one of the finest specimens that we have handled in recent memory, a solidly graded Gem with superior eye appeal. It is a coin that would do justice to the finest numismatic cabinet. NGC Census: 2; 5 finer in this category (Proof-67+ * Ultra Cameo finest)."
Recorded mintage: 3,200 including 45 proofs.
Specification: 1.67 g, 0.900 fine gold, .048 troy AGW, 15 mm diameter, reeded edge, designed by James Longacre.
Catalog reference: KM 86, Fr-94.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
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