Owner Comments:
1852 G1$ Annular, or Ring-Form Pattern Gold Dollar
Judd-148, Pollock-176
Rarity: Low R.7 PR65
Annular gold dollar. Struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge.
Obverse: Annular gold dollar with perforation and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and 1852 around ornamented raised rim.
Reverse: the simple wording for denomination "DOLLAR" and a wreath around a raised rim.
Comment:
A very interesting concept for the gold dollar. Starting in 1849 with the mass outpouring of gold from California, gold dollars were struck, but were tiny. In an effort to make the diameter larger and still maintain the legislated weight, a larger planchet was produced with a perforated hole in the center punched out
With the vast quantity of gold coins in circulation as a result to the California Gold Rush, the value of silver rose in relation to the price of gold, and silver began to disappear from circulation, particularly the silver dollar. As a result, many gold dollars were struck during these years where the silver dollar mintage dropped. The gold dollar as it was minted was small, and in an effort to enlarge the diameter of the denomination, the Mint experimented with these annular or ring shaped designs. Pollock designates the Judd-148 as "Probably a restrike," and notes that "thick and thin planchet varieties exist, per the Adam
Provenance/Appearance:
Private sale June 2019. Could not locate prior appearance