Southern Gold Society

Features

Coveted Treasures: Unveiling the Allure of Dahlonega Gold Dollars

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1861-D Gold Dollar
The 1861-D is a popular Civil War-era issue from the Dahlonega Gold Dollar series. Courtesy of PCGS TrueView.

Discover the allure of Dahlonega Gold Dollars in this comprehensive overview penned by Doug Winter for PCGS News and Articles. Exploring the intricacies of this sought-after collection, Winter highlights the challenges and rarities of these elusive coins. From the short-lived series to the remarkable rarity of certain dates, delve into the world of these collector-driven treasures. Learn about their historical significance, rarity in high grades, and strategies for assembling your own set. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or intrigued by numismatics, this article unveils the unique charm and investment potential of Dahlonega gold dollars.

Dahlonega Gold Dollars: An Introduction & Overview

Introducing the Fourth Edition of GOLD COINS OF THE DAHLONEGA MINT, 1838-1861

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Gold Coins Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861 4 Edition cover
Unlock the mysteries of Dahlonega gold and add this masterpiece to your collection.

Calling all coin enthusiasts and history buffs! Douglas Winter Numismatics is thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated Fourth Edition of Douglas A. Winter’s definitive reference book: Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861.

Freshly updated for 2023, this edition is a treasure trove of information, meticulously compiled by Doug Winter, a renowned expert in the field. Imagine a “coffee table” book, reminiscent of a large auction catalogue, housing the most comprehensive and up-to-date details on Dahlonega gold. Delve into insights on rarity, population, and dive deep into detailed die variety descriptions, all accompanied by stunning color photos.

Much like Winter’s esteemed New Orleans books, this edition harmonizes in color, size, and design, culminating in a set of reference books that are not only informative but also exquisitely appealing, adding sophistication to your shelf and fascination to your hands.

Seize the opportunity to own this fourth edition, a significant revision since 2013, and revel in the wealth of knowledge it holds. Secure your copy for $125, conveniently shipped directly to your doorstep. Dealers take advantage of generous discounts on orders of 10 copies or more.

To claim your copy, simply send a check or money order for $125 to:

DWN, PO BOX 4383, Portland OR, 97208

Unlock the mysteries of Dahlonega gold and add this masterpiece to your collection. Don’t miss out on the chance to own a piece of history meticulously curated within these pages. Order now and embark on a journey through time and numismatics like never before!

Unveiling History: Exploring the Early Years of the New Orleans Mint (1837-1861)

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Treatise New Orleans Mint cover
A treatise delving into the formative years of the New Orleans Mint from 1837 to 1861.

Join us in celebrating an invaluable addition to the Newman Numismatic Portal, a treatise delving into the formative years of the New Orleans Mint from 1837 to 1861. Authored by Richard G. Kelly and Nancy Y. Oliver, this work stands as a testament to meticulous research and dedication in uncovering the history embedded within the Mint’s early era.

This comprehensive 75-page treatise is a culmination of extensive efforts, drawing from the invaluable Mint Record Group 104 and contributions from distinguished numismatic researchers Robert Julian and Roger Burdette. Through painstaking examination of handwritten letters and archival records from the National Archives in Philadelphia and College Park, Maryland, the authors meticulously piece together a chronological narrative. Their work sheds light on the Mint’s construction, its workforce, and the coinage that emerged from this pivotal institution.

The journey to compile this historical treasure spanned two years, a testament to the dedication invested in deciphering intricate details from archival materials, some of which proved challenging to decipher. The authors supplemented gaps in information by leveraging contemporaneous newspapers and other Portal sources, offering a vivid portrayal of an era pivotal to the Mint’s narrative.

It’s worth noting that ongoing efforts continue to enrich this work, with a promise of future updates and revisions as more archival copies from previously scarce years become available. This commitment to accuracy and completeness underscores the authors’ dedication to preserving and sharing the rich history of the New Orleans Mint.

In a gesture of gratitude to those who tirelessly strive to make such invaluable information accessible to researchers, the authors have generously donated this work to the Newman Numismatic Portal, granting free access to all. It’s an invitation for enthusiasts, historians, and researchers alike to explore and appreciate the legacy and significance of the New Orleans Mint during this crucial period in American history.

This treatise encapsulates not just the history of a mint but also the dedication and passion of researchers committed to preserving our numismatic heritage. Dive into this remarkable journey through time, exploring the vibrant tapestry of the New Orleans Mint’s early years. Welcome to a wealth of knowledge awaiting discovery.

Auction Benefits Foundation for the Carolinas Features 1861-D Gold Dollar

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On November 2, 2022, Heritage Auctions will offer Mike Coltrane’s U.S. coin collection at an unreserved Signature Sale. Mike enjoyed a variety of numismatic pursuits including currency (to be sold in a Showcase auction on October 30), coins, and related financial documents. He was a student of history, always seeking to learn something new as his boyhood hobby progressed into an avocation. His interests encompassed Colonial issues, Federal coppers, and early half cents, as well as early, branch mint, and Territorial gold. Mike was a lifelong resident of Concord, North Carolina, and included Charlotte Mint gold bullion deposit records and other related documents in his collection; they are also being offered in this sale. Mike was committed to his hometown and was generous with both his time and money. Proceeds from this auction will be donated to charity, through the Foundation for the Carolinas, to assist individuals in need as well as for community betterment.

Below is the 1861-D gold dollar lot description.

1861-D G$1 AU50 PCGS. Gold CAC. Variety 12-Q. The Dahlonega Mint’s last report to the Director at Philadelphia occurred on February 28, 1861. Gold deposits were at $63,193 for the fiscal year up to that point, with $60,946 worth of coinage produced. That coinage included 1,597 half eagles struck during the first two months of 1861, but no gold dollars, even though the dies had already been supplied.

The Confederacy took control of the Dahlonega Mint in April. Mint Director James Pollock, in his Annual Report for the fiscal year ending June 1861, spoke harshly of the defection of the southern branch mints and the perceived effects on their coinage:

“Whether the coinage at these branches continues to conform to the laws and standard of the United States mint cannot now be ascertained. Efforts have been made to procure specimens of the gold and silver coins of the branch at New Orleans, since its defection, for the purpose of determining whether any adulteration or reduction in value of the issues of that branch had been attempted; but thus far no such specimens could be obtained. The treason that can refuse to recognize the lawful authority of a just government, would not hesitate to adulterate the coin made in an institution wrested from that government by lawless violence; nor would it blush to conceal the wrong under the emblems and devices of an honored national coinage.”

Contrary to Pollock’s expectations, coinage standards at the southern branch mints did not falter under the auspices of the Confederacy. Brief experiments with new cent and half dollar designs occurred in New Orleans, but the bulk of the coinage produced in the South after its secession was with existing federal dies. After the 1,597 coins reported in February, Dahlonega Mint personnel struck a small number of additional half eagles for the Confederacy, as well as a new coinage of gold dollars. Mintage figures were unrecorded, but study of the survivorship suggests that the Confederacy struck 1,000 to 2,000 half eagles at Dahlonega sometime after the end of February 1861, and 500 to 1,000 gold dollars. Thus, the 1861-D gold dollar is distinguished as having been entirely produced under the auspices of the Confederacy.

The circumstances of the 1861-D gold dollar’s production, presumably scant mintage, and modern-day rarity make it the most sought-after gold dollar of any date and mint, with perhaps the sole exception of the 1849-C Open Wreath, which is essentially uncollectible. Gold scholars David Akers and Doug Winter have both noted that while the 1861-D is rare overall, surviving examples tend to grade in the AU and low Mint State ranges more often than other Dahlonega issues. While that narrative remains true, it requires amendment. The entire survivorship of this issue is estimated to be only 65 to 75 coins. A significant portion of that population is cleaned, repaired, or otherwise damaged, and those coins form a disproportionately large portion of the public auction appearances for this date. Problem-free 1861-D gold dollars are incredibly rare, and most of those known are held in strong collections.

This coin, housed in an old “rattler” holder, is high-end for the grade. Smooth, satiny surfaces yield blended olive-gold and peach-yellow color, with original luster in the fields. The Dahlonega specialist will recognize the weak strike below Liberty’s bust, but the complete reverse border is a welcome refreshment. The central devices exhibit a degree of sharpness seldom seen on any Type Three D-mint dollar, let alone an 1861-D. A truly memorable example. Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2020), lot 4319.(Registry values: N7079)

Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Geneva, Amsterdam and Hong Kong.

Numismatic Detective Agency Bechtler Kagin 15 Condition Census

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The Numismatic Detective Agency chief investigator Ron Guth posted in the Agency’s blog about the Undated C. Bechtler $5 150 G., 20 C., Kagin 15 variety.

Undated C Bechtler $5 150 G 20 C
Undated C. Bechtler $5, Beaded Border, 150 Grains, 20 Carats, K-15, Rarity 7 Images courtesy of the Professional Coin Grading Service

Guth points out based on the Agency’s Condition Census of the Top Ten best Kagin 15’s there are very few mint state examples know.

Thus, an example in any grade would be a prized possession.

CLICK HERE to read Guth’s post.

NGC-certified Gold Coins from Dahlonega Mint in August Sale

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Stack’s is offering some of the rarest issues that came out of the Georgia gold rush.

1840-D $2.50
1840-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle obverse.

Stack’s Bowers is offering a selection of vintage US gold coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) that were struck at the Dahlonega Mint, which was active in Georgia from 1838 to 1861. Online bidding for the Global Showcase Auction will begin on August 23, 2022.

The second largest Gold Rush in US history began in 1829, along the northern regions of Georgia. Nine years later, the boom led to the establishment of the Dahlonega Mint, which only produced gold coins until its doors closed in 1861. By the 1840s, gold became scarce, and prospectors headed west, chasing another gold find located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains — the California Gold Rush.

One of the stunning NGC-certified offerings in the sale is an 1840-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, declared the finest known issue. The metal used to make this coin was found along Dukes Creek, one of the first locations that yielded gold. With deep strikes and exquisite detail, this particular coin is graded NGC MS 62, the highest graded example recorded in the NGC Census.

1840-D $2.50 Reverse
1840-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle reverse.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale include:

  • an 1853-D Gold Dollar graded NGC MS 62
  • an 1858-D Gold Dollar graded NGC AU 58
  • an 1839-D Classic Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 50
  • an 1839-D Classic Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC XF 45
  • an 1841-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 61 and pedigreed to the Pittman Collection
  • an 1843-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 61
  • an 1843-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 61
  • an 1843-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 53
  • an 1843-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC VF 30
  • an 1844-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC XF 45+
  • an 1847-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 55
  • an 1847-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 53
  • an 1847-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC XF 45
  • an 1849-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 55
  • an 1849-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC XF 45
  • an 1850-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 53
  • an 1851-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC XF 40 and pedigreed to the Suwannee River Collection
  • an 1855-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 58
  • an 1854-D Gold Three-Dollar graded NGC VF 30
  • an 1842-D Liberty Head Small Date Half Eagle graded NGC AU 55
  • an 1842-D Liberty Head Small Date Half Eagle graded NGC AU 53
  • an 1842-D Liberty Head Half Eagle graded NGC XF 40
  • an 1843-D Liberty Head Half Eagle graded NGC VF 35
  • an 1844-D Liberty Head Half Eagle graded NGC AU 53
  • an 1846-D/D Liberty Head Half Eagle graded NGC XF 40
  • an 1847-D Liberty Head Half Eagle graded NGC MS 63
  • an 1850-D Liberty Half Eagle graded NGC VF 30
  • an 1852-D Liberty Head Half Eagle graded NGC AU 53
  • an 1852-D Liberty Half Eagle graded NGC XF 45
  • an 1852-D Liberty Half Eagle graded NGC XF 40
  • an 1853-D Liberty Head Half Eagle graded NGC XF 40