1861 Conway Ten Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$287,875 08-10-2016 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1861 J.J. Conway & Company Gold Eagle is the largest denomination produced by this mountain mining camp mint. The ten-dollar gold piece represented a substantial sum in the frontier economy and was used primarily for larger transactions such as purchasing mining claims or paying for bulk supplies. The Conway eagle features the firm's characteristic design style, reflecting the resourcefulness required to produce coinage at over 10,000 feet elevation in the Colorado mountains. Despite the challenging conditions, the Conway mint produced recognizable and functional coins that served the commercial needs of the mining community. J.J. Conway & Company eagles are among the scarcest of the three Conway denominations. The ten-dollar denomination was less practical for everyday mining camp transactions than the five-dollar piece, resulting in smaller production numbers.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Conway eagles are estimated at 15-25 surviving examples. Auction prices typically range from $20,000 to $70,000.

Cross References

Kagin K-3; NGC #31197