While quite common in the lower Uncirculated grades, the 1857 is a harder issue to find in MS63 through MS65 than generally realized. There are a small number of superb pieces known, probably from a small old hoard, and I am aware of at least three or four that grading MS67 and a single PCGS MS68 that appears to be the finest known.

This is a visually stunning coin, as one would expect from its grade and CAC approval. It is very well struck and extremely frosty with superb soft orange-gold, lime and light reddish hues, in slightly different configurations, on both sides. There is a bit of striking weakness at the tops of the plumes and the I in AMERICA is not fully formed but this coin is nearly perfect and it is amazing that a 150+ year old gold coin has survived the ravages of time essentially “as struck.”

The last 1857 gold dollar in PCGS MS67 to sell was offered as Bowers and Merena 10/10: 4751, where it realized $19,550. Another PCGS MS67, this with CAC approval, sold for $18,400 as Lot 3385 in Heritage 2010 ANA auction.

Ex ANR 3/06: 1398 ($18,975), Stack’s 1/86: 38

CAC has approved three in this grade with none finer.