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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,765 |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
Hello,
I have a coin that I received as part of an estate. I assume that this has been circulated and that someone in my family just thought to tuck it away at some point. I am not a collector; I just want to get a fair valuation of the coin as part of my executor duties. Here is a description:
The coin is gold and about ½ inch in diameter. The face value is $1. On both sides, there is a raised edge with some decoration. The decoration is better defined on the side stamped "1 Dollar". On the side stamped "1 Dollar", there is an open wreath that is tied at the bottom. It looks like it might be a mid-19th century stylized version of laurel. The date is 1855, that is a bit hard to read. On the Indian Head side, the Indian has a page boy haircut (al a most images of Columbus from the time) and a feather headdress. Surrounding the Indian are the words "United States of America".
I am receiving an error when I try to upload images. Please email if you want to see some photos.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Sharon, Is this your coin? http://www.coinfacts.com/gold_dolla..._dollars.htmThese were minted at three branch mints that year too (Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans). The mintmark is on the reverse (with the one dollar denomination and wreath) just below the wreath. I mention this because a mintmark of D or C puts this coin in a different ballpark as far as rarity. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
Welcome to the forum skmorrison. You are probably receiving the error because your file size is too large. You must be below 100k in size, which is pretty small. Make sure it's in jpeg format, crop everything else but the coin out of the picture, and then resize until your file size is about 90k. As for the coin in question, does it look like this: Small Indian HeadOh, and as for your other coins, keep in mind that even though they may be beat up and not pristine, silver is way up right now. You can easily get $10 for every face value $1 in silver coinage 1964 and earlier. Sorry Seated, I never saw your post.... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Tights24 Better to say it twice than not at all.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Were going to need pictures of the coin to determine it's grade and therefore it's value. Whatever you do DON'T CLEAN THE COIN.
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New Member
 United States
3 Posts |
Thanks everyone! My friend's friend was right, you are all very helpful. Seatednut and Tights24 nailed the coin images. I am pretty sure that there is no mintmark, but I'll check. I will also work on clear, uploadedable images tonight. And, I haven't touched a cleaning product in ages! It's actually pretty clean. It's been in a jeweler's box in my mother's dresser for who-knows-how-long.
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
I now have photos. With the effort it took just to get 2 not very clear photos, I have to hand it to all of you who have such excellent photos posted. There is definitely not a mintmark. The 1855 is a bit rubbed out (but still visible). There are also some scratches on the Indian Head side (which you can see quite well in the photos). The photo of the back is a bit blurry. Image:  GoldBackUpload.jpg25.09 KB Image: goldfrontupload.jpg50.99 KB |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Good Morning SK,
You have what appears to be a genuine 1855 one dollar gold minted in Philadelphia. At minting its contained .0531 oz of gold at $820 per oz. today that equals $43.50. You won't get rich on the gold content. This coin currently goes for around $275~$300 in Very Fine condition. I'm not sure your coin would make that grade as it appears to be damaged on the obverse (front) based on the photos provided. My best guess is you could expect something between $150~$200 if a collector will accept the flaws. This is the best I can do based on the photos. I hope this helps.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
I agree with SeatedNut's assessment. I don't see any point in trying to slab it with the obvious damage on the obverse.
Check the weight if you can and see if it agrees with 0.0531 oz. = 1.505 grams. If it is not very close to the correct weight then it is a fake.
Edited by t360
11/07/2007 09:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
T360 is correct about checking the weight. I have one just like yours that weights exactly one gram which makes it a fake. There are other markers that ID it also, but I cannot pick them out on your pics. If you have the ability to have the coin weighed,consider doing it since there are fakes of this coin out there.
Jim
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
T360 and Jim, Thanks for the additional info. P.S. - T360 I forgot to get back with you, but I'm also a Beaver Alum, Class of '75  |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,765 |
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Posted 11/06/2007 12:02 pm
GoldBackUpload.jpg
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