Bill Jones' Tiny Gold Princesses
1849 Closed Wreath

Owner Comments:

Toward the end of 1849, U.S. mint officials decided to modify the reverse of the gold dollar design. Mint engraver, James Longacre, added an extra branch to both sides of the wreath on the reverse creating the Close Wreath variety. The Philadelphia produced approximately 120,000 Close Wreath dollars in 1849 while almost all of the 11,638 Charlotte mint coins had this design. The close wreath design would appear on the Type I gold dollar for the remainder of the series.

The 1849 Philadelphia Close Wreath gold dollar is much scarcer than the Open Wreath coins for two reasons. First, the mintage is smaller by a margin of 120,000 to 568,000 (estimated numbers). Second, people set aside fewer of the Close Wreath coins as novelties because the gold dollar had been in circulation for several months. As a result the Close Wreath coins are much scarcer in Choice and Gem Mint State than the Open Wreath pieces. Anyone who has spent time shopping for these coins at a major show can attest this fact.

The coin pictured above is well struck with virtually mark free surfaces. It has the greenish toning that is often seen on older gold pieces, and is very choice for the grade.