The Type 1 $1 Gold Liberty has a diameter of just 13 mm and a total weight of 1.672 grams. Struck from 0.900 gold, this coin is therefore composed of 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper, containing 0.04837 ounces of pure gold. These $1 coins were produced at the main Philadelphia Mint, plus branch mints including New Orleans, Dahlonega, Charlotte, and San Francisco. Your order is likely to be fulfilled by a coin produced in Philadelphia, from a random and common year of issue, but always with a mint state of 62, denoting its quality.
The History of the $1 Gold Coin Type 1 MS62:
Gold fever was sweeping through the land, the year was 1849 and the Californian Gold Rush was underway. Prospectors and mine-owners were clamoring for gold coins to give their new-found wealth a practical use. So, Congress passed a bill authorizing two new coins, one of which was the $1 Gold Liberty Type 1.
You just can't keep all the people happy all of the time. Silver dollars may have drawn criticism for being too weighty and impractical, but this here coin, the $1 Gold Liberty Type 1, was castigated for being so small it slipped through people's fingers. Make up your own mind by holding a Common Date $1 Gold Liberty Type 1 MS62 in the palm of your hand. It may be small in stature, but it's treasured by collectors around the world, so make it yours today. Don't let it roll away from your grasp.
It was not a coin that proved to be popular. From the moment it was in circulation, this $1 gold coin faced criticism for being impractical and easy to lose - so it was produced for just six short years, being discontinued in 1854. However, its short-lived production makes it highly sought after today. It was to be replaced by the second type of the coin which had the same weight but a greater circumference. The Type 1 $1 may be America's smallest coin to date, but it holds great weight in collecting terms. Make this dainty coin a treasured part of your collection today.
The Design of the $1 Gold Coin Type 1 MS62:
This diminutive $1 coin was designed by James B Longacre, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. The obverse design comprises a left-facing profile portrait of Lady Liberty, shown wearing a beaded coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Liberty's hair is partially styled in a bun at the back of her head, though strands of hair have escaped, falling down her neck. Her portrait is surrounded by 13 six-pointed stars denoting the original states of the union.
The reverse design features a foliage wreath encircling the value of 1 DOLLAR and the year of issue. Interestingly, some variations exist between different years of issue and various branch mints, as to how completely (or not) the wreath forms a circle. However, your coin will be from a common and random year of issue. The lettering UNITED STATES OF AMERICA completes the reverse design, while the edge of the coin is reeded.
Features of the Common Date $1 Gold Liberty Type 1 MS62:
- 90% gold, 10% copper
- Weight 1.672 grams
- .04837 ounces of pure gold
- Mint state of 62
- U.S. Mint
- Face value $1
- Designer James B Longacre
- Random year of issue
Orders placed for products that are not a specific year will be fulfilled with coins of any date, based on availability. Orders of multiple coins may be filled with the same year or a variety of years.
