Over the summer we had an example of the single rarest gold dollar come through our Philadelphia Gallery, the legendary 1849-C Open Wreath. We later sold this piece for our consignor at our November 2024 Showcase Auction as lot 3085, where it realized $264,000. That example was the “Delaware Collection” specimen, off the numismatic market since 1978. I didn’t expect to see any more “fancy” gold dollars for a while.
But the other day, a client came in with an old family collection dating to the late 19th century, including several holed gold dollars. One piece was an 1851 gold dollar, strung through with a red silk ribbon and had a note attached, stating that this coin was used as a teething ring in the 1870s. I guess the ribbon was tied around the baby’s wrist, and she could nibble on it until her teeth erupted. Also included in the group was a holed Type II gold dollar dated 1855, with a tiny “D” under the ribbon. The 1855-D is, as Doug Winter states: “…the second rarest Dahlonega gold dollar, and the rarest in high grades. It is very desirable as it combines genuine rarity in all grades with its status of being the only Type Two gold dollar produced at this mint.”
This coin will appear in our Spring 2025 Showcase Auction. It displays the typical strike and die clash marks noted for the date and is holed at 1 o’clock (when viewed from the obverse). All the major obverse design details, as well as the mintmark on the reverse, are untouched. The survival estimate or this issue, according to PCGS, is only 80 pieces in all grades. We’re delighted to bring you this historical and undeniably “fancy” gold dollar… with a unique family history!
To consign your U.S. coins or currency to the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Spring 2025 Showcase Auction, call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
