1854-D $3 MS(PCGS#7970)

August 2019 ANA U.S. Coins Auction Rosemont, IL

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

5293

等级

AU58

价格

508,212

详细说明

Key Date 1854-D Three-Dollar Gold Piece Rare Sharply Struck 1854-D Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Winter 1-A, the only known dies. AU-58 (PCGS). An extraordinary condition rarity to represent this key date three-dollar gold issue from the Dahlonega Mint. The focal features on both sides are exceptionally sharp for an issue whose survivors are almost always softly struck, well worn, or both. Here we note crisp detail to Liberty's headdress, the individual strands of hair, and throughout the wreath on the reverse. The borders are typically soft and virtually devoid of denticulation, although we do see traces of it along the lower right obverse and reverse. All letters and digits in the design are crisp, including the all important D mintmark. Satiny in texture with pretty pinkish-rose highlights to dominant honey-olive patina, this is a truly exceptional 1854-D three that ranks as a leading highlight among the extensive gold offerings in this sale. The mintage for this first year of issue was tiny, only 1,120 pieces. From that issue about 300 remain today, a good many of them with problems that won't go into wholesome grade certified holders. Mint State pieces are virtually unobtainable with perhaps a dozen that claim the lower ranges of Mint State. Thus collectors assembling date and mint collections are pressed to buy this particular issue in circulated grades. This formidable rarity has always been in strong demand; it is the only Dahlonega Mint three-dollar gold piece struck and its appeal is legendary for its tiny mintage. Numismatic gold expert David Akers notes in his reference on the series that the 1854-D is always weakly struck, usually the hair and headdress are somewhat softly impressed, and the denticles are rarely found sharp at the periphery. Most experts can identify this issue simply by observing the obverse as the Dahlonega Mint strike is so characteristic on this particular issue. With most survivors grading VF or lower, wear from commercial use also conspires to limit the detail on many examples. Noted gold specialist Doug Winter states that on this issue the obverse usually has the letter U in UNITED softly impressed and the letters TED in UNITED heavily doubled, characteristics of the single die pairing used to create this issue. There is usually a sharp die clash at Liberty's throat, seen here, and another directly behind her headdress. On the reverse the clash marks are within the wreath. Winter also notes that many examples of this issue have been dipped or cleaned with hairlines commonly seen. Therefore this overall sharply defined, minimally circulated and appreciably lustrous example is a real standout, not only for the high technical grade but also for the attractive surfaces and solid strike. Provenance: From the Maurice Snow Collection. Acquired from Harry J. Forman, February 21, 1980. Earlier ex Smith; William Youngerman. PCGS Population: 10; 4 finer (MS-62 finest). PCGS# 7970. NGC ID: 25M4. Click here for certification details from PCGS.