1852-O G$1 Liberty Head Gold Dollar PCGS MS63 (CAC)

Here is a golden treasure from the early days of the rough and ready California Gold Rush. Please take a careful look at the images of this offering from AUCM. Isn’t it a beauty? And this coin is rare. PCGS has graded 20 as MS63 with 14 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $5,000.00 in MS63. In CAC, there are 5 in MS63 with 4 finer. CAC prices the 1852-O G$1 at $5,000.00 in MS63.

Doug Winter reports, “The 1852-O is the second rarest gold dollar from the New Orleans mint. The survival rate is considerably lower than for the 1851-O or the 1853-O and no hoards of higher grade pieces have yet to be found. It remains a very hard coin to locate in the higher Uncirculated grades….The 1852-O gold dollar is moderately scarce in circulated grades and becomes scarce in MS61 to MS62. It is very scarce in MS63, rare in MS64 and very rare in Gem.”

Of the luster, Winter writes,  “The luster seen on this issue is very good with most higher quality examples displaying a rich, frosty texture. Some have a somewhat granular texture. I have never seen a piece that was reflective.”

A 1907 postcard of the New Orleans Mint, where this beautiful rarity was struck in 1852. Image: Wikipedia.