1885 $1.00 NGC PR64 CAM

1105 Proofs struck. Mintages for Proof gold dollars shot up dramatically beginning in 1882 and by the mid-1880's, over 1,000 per year were being produced. That said, survivors from 1885 are not common with the number known estimated at about 150-200. What's great about coins like this is that they are attractive, choice and rare but they are well within the budget of many gold collectors. This specific example would grade at least a PR65 if not higher were it not for a tiny mint-made dimple in the middle of the left obverse field. Otherwise, the coin has a great appearance with very reflective surfaces that have almost no hairlines and strong contrast between the devices and the fields. While not quite a Deep Cameo, this piece has better than average contrast for the date. At this price level, you have to love this 1885 dollar and it would make a great coin for the collector who has always wanted to own a piece of Proof gold but whose budget doesn't allow for major five-figure expenditures.

1858-S $1.00 PCGS AU58

I'm a big fan of the San Francisco gold dollar coinage. They are very inexpensive in circulated gradces but are scarce and very easy to assemble a set. The 1858-S has a mintage of just 10,000 coins and it is almost never seen in Uncirculated. This nice AU58 is well struck and shows splashes of orange-gold color on the surfaces. An old reverse scratch runs from the rim at around 7:00 to the bow.

1849-C Open Wreath $1.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

This issue is popular as a first-year-of-type for the denomination and from this mint as well. It is considerably scarcer than the 1851-C, 1852-C and 1853-C and is second only to the 1850-C in terms of overall rarity from this mint for Type One dollars. This coin is a full AU55 that has been conservativekly graded by PCGS, probably on account of a small mark behind the lower portion of Liberty's bun. It is well detailed with good luster and nice light greenish-gold color. Unlike many 1849-C dollars, this piece has good balance between the obverse and the reverse. I highly recommend this piece for the new collector of Southern gold.

1876 $1.00 NGC PR65 CAM

Only 45 struck. Of these, there are probably no more than twenty or so known with most in the PR64 to PR65 range. This piece is easily recognizable as a Proof on account of its reflective surfaces and a small die line running out to the right from the base of the right foot in the first A in AMERICA. Both the obverse and the reverse show very deep natural toning; the kind that you used to see from time to time on Proof gold before so many coins were dipped in order to gain a Cameo or Deep Cameo designation. The underlying fields appear to be choice with just a few old lines. An attractive example of a rare, historically significant issue.

Ex Heritage 10/11: 4628 where it sold for $16,100

1881 $1.00 NGC PR65+ UCAM

Prior to this year, mintage figures for Proof gold dollars was tiny. Beginning in 1882, production climbed as collecting (and speculating in) Proofs of this denomination became popular. 1881 is sort of a "final year" for low mintages with just 87 pieces struck; it is likely that around half of these are known. What I like about this date is that is sells for just a small premium above the late 1880's dates but it is decidedly scarcer, especially in Gem. This example is as close to being a PR66 as you could imagine and I feel that the only thing that kept NGC from grading it as such is the presence of a few tiny lines in the left obverse field. That said, I have seen inferior coins graded PR66 by both services and I have seen few Proofs of this era with the stunning black and white contrast that this piece displays. Both sides have extremely deep mirrors that display some light natural color that gives them further overall eye appeal. This is the only PR65+ Ultra Cameo of this date currently graded by NGC with only five finer for the date with the UC designation. It is my belief that Gem Proof gold dollars such as this are very good values right now, especially when one considers what larger denomination Proof gold in this grade costs.

A Bechtler $1.00, 27 Grains, 21 Carat, PCGS AU58

August Bechtler Dollar, 27 Grains 21 Carat Variety. Every now and then I buy a coin that is so cool that I strongly contemplate putting it away in the Doug Winter personal collection. I strongly considered doing just that with this astonishing Bechtler Dollar. This is quite possibly the most beautifully toned gold coin of any type or era that I have seen. It shows dazzling dramatic multi-colored hues with reds, orange, purple and aquas on the obverse and, in a slightly different configuration, on the reverse. Beneath the color, the surfaces appear to be slightly reflective and this helps to amplify the intensity of the aforementioned shades. If I didn't know for certain that this coin was fresh to the market and from an old time collection, I'd wonder if this color was real but I can state with certainty that it is. I also believe that the coin is significantly undergraded as it appears to be free of wear and better than other Bechtler Dollars offered for sale in MS61 and even MS62 holders. For the Southern gold collector, owning a few Bechtler coin is essential and you'll never find an example of this obtainable type with better eye appeal than the present example.

1855-C $1.00 PCGS AU58 CAC

From the PCGS and NGC population figures, you'd think that AU58 examples of this date aren't all that rare. But in nearly three decades of specializing in Charlotte gold dollars, I think I have seen maybe four or five that were properly graded and this example may be the first I've seen that is crusty AND well struck. Strike and planchet preparation are a huge issue for the 1855-C dollar and over 80% of the known examples are poorly detailed and have numerous issues with the surfaces. Other than some clashmarks at the central obverse and some mint-made roughness at the center of the reverse, this piece has incredible surfaces. It is also undipped and in possession of wonderful color with nicely mottled green-gold and orange hues on the obverse and reverse. In properly graded AU58, the 1855-C dollar is actually nearly as rare as the more celebrated (and far more expensive) 1855-D. CAC has only approved two 1855-C gold dollars in AU58 with none higher than this. A really special coin that would be almost impossible to improve upon in the near future.

1863 $1.00 NGC MS62

After the low mintage 1875, the 1863 is the rarest gold dollar from the Philadelphia mint. While the original mintage figure is a not-especially eye-catching 6,200 business strikes, this date was not saved and the total number known is probably less than 100 in all grades. There are a few Gems known but lower grade Mint State pieces are almost never offered for sale, as evidenced by the fact that there are just three examples in this grade that have appeared at auction since 1999. The last MS62 to sell was Stacks Bowers 11/11: 9165 (encapsulated by PCGS) that brought $7,331. The present example is pleasing with light yellow-gold color that deepens a bit towards the border. There are a few scuffs in the fields that are consistent with the grade. Civil War gold is currently very popular with collectors and as more people begin to collect these issues, they learn that many are really rare in higher grades. An important opportunity for a variety of potential buyers.

1859-S $1.00 NGC AU58 CAC

Only 15,000 were struck and this date is scarce and undervalued in AU55 and above. This lustrous "slider" has considerable luster below appealing even yellow-gold color. There is just a bit of friction seen on the cheek of Liberty and in the obverse fields. In my opinion, you'd be hard-pressed to find a coin that was a better value than this in the $2,000-2,500 range. CAC has approved five 1859-S gold dollars in AU58 and none finer.