1850 Proof Liberty Gold Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$129,250 PR60 01-09-2013 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1850 Proof Liberty Gold Dollar is a proof Gold Dollar struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Liberty Head Gold Dollars 1849-1854 series. With a mintage of only 2, this is an extremely rare issue. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, encircled by a wreath, while the reverse displays a wreath enclosing the denomination 1 DOLLAR and the date. Designed by James Barton Longacre. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 1.7 grams, 12.7 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #7593. The Gold Dollar was introduced following the California Gold Rush discovery of 1848, which flooded the market with gold and made a one-dollar gold coin practical. The tiny size makes high-grade examples scarce — many were lost, holed for jewelry, or heavily worn. The 1849-C Open Wreath is a key date.