Whidbey Island Gold Dollars
1857-D
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Coin Details
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
GOLD DOLLARS |
| Item Description: |
G$1 1857 D |
| Full Grade: |
NGC AU 58 |
| Owner: |
Whidbey Island Collection |
Owner Comments:
Knowledgeable gold dollar collectors have long realized that the 1857-D gold dollar is second only to the 1857-C in terms of poor quality of striking and planchet preparation. Over the past 12 years I examined photos of nearly three dozen AU-55 to MS-62 1857-D gold dollars seeking a coin that was reasonably well made. Only three of the coins examined met my expectations and this was the only coin that fell within my budget limitations. Even some mint state coins were so softly struck on wretched planchets that they appeared to have only VF-XF detail.
For this date, this coin has an exceptionally strong strike with softness limited to the upper wreath and bow knot. A die crack is beginning to develop above the top of the wreath which contributes to softness in this area. The headdress plumes and hair detail are far better than normally seen.