The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale

Pre-Bidding Ends: 8/7/2010 2:00:00 PM
Live Floor and Internet Bidding Begins: 8/7/2010 3:00:00 PM

Lot #1441. 1855-D Gold Dollar. Type II. Winter 7-I. MS-64+ (NGC).

Finest-Known 1855-D Gold Dollar
Description: This coin is the single finest-known example of the very rare and extremely challenging 1855-D Type II Gold Dollar. It is listed as Condition Census #1 in the 2003 edition of the book Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint: 1838-1861 by Doug Winter, and possesses the strongest technical merits and eye appeal in any survivor of this issue that we have ever handled. For starters, this piece is near-fully struck (yes, fully) in the centers. Even all four digits in the date 1855 are essentially full--a particularly rare attribute for an issue that is almost always offered with poor central definition. Then there's the surfaces, which are virtually smooth as far as post-production distractions are concerned. We note only wispy handling marks that are hardly distracting to the unaided eye. Other features on the surfaces are as-struck clashmarks in the fields around the central devices. Lustrous and satiny, with warm medium-orange patina and a simply exquisite "look" in a '55-D Gold Dollar.
    The 1855-D is a very low-mintage issue with a mere 1,811 pieces produced. It is the second-rarest Dahlonega Mint Gold Dollar in an absolute sense, and is the leading condition rarity in this Southern gold series. Doug Winter (again 2003) accounts for only 70-80 coins extant, fewer than five of which qualify as Mint State in his strict opinion.

Combined PCGS and NGC Population: just 1; 0 finer.

PCGS# 7534.

From our sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, October 1999, lot 102. Bass acquired the coin from Manfra, Tordella and Brooks on December 10, 1974 via private treaty sale.