1853 Liberty Gold Dollar
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-67). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$264,000 MS69 01-14-2024 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1853 Liberty Gold Dollar is a Gold Dollar produced at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the Liberty Head Gold Dollars 1849-1854 series. Total mintage reached 4.1 million. 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 #7521. 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.
