1851 G$1

Description

1851 Gold Dollar, Type 1, Philadelphia Mint, PCGS MS64. The Gold Dollar was introduced in 1849 to facilitate commerce during the California Gold Rush, providing everyday Americans with a portable alternative to the standard silver dollar. Designed by Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre, Type 1 Gold Dollars (1849-1854) measure 13mm in diameter and weigh 1.672 grams, composed of 90% gold and 10% copper. This series features Liberty on the obverse and a wreath with denomination and inscriptions on the reverse. The 1851 Philadelphia Mint Gold Dollar represents one of the most common dates of the Type 1 series, with the Philadelphia Mint striking 3,317,671 examples—the second-highest mintage of the type. While this substantial production ensures ready availability in lower grades, Gem examples become increasingly scarce as the grade scale ascends. According to PCGS population data, MS62 and MS63 represent the most frequently encountered grades, making higher Gem specimens notably desirable to serious collectors. This example, graded PCGS MS64 (Certificate #3545772), represents a well-preserved specimen that exceeds the typical survivor. With 198 examples graded finer and 400 total in the PCGS census, this coin occupies an attractive middle ground—superior to the majority of known examples while remaining more accessible than the rarest Superb Gem specimens. The coin exhibits the pleasing luster and eye appeal characteristic of the grade, offering collectors an opportunity to acquire a quality representative of this historically significant series.