1858-D Gold Dollar

The strike is quite nice for gold, I think it would be AU Details. Really unfortunate, because the coin is such a small one, that it almost seems pointless to hang it on a chain.

I disagree. Obviously, any grading company worth their salt will find that the coin has been plugged. However, the point isn't to conceal the hole from the graders/buyers. The point is to make the coin more desirable. Even if it is a holed coin, it will look much better professionally plugged. There are different levels of problem coins, the worse the problem, the more the price is affected, which is why a lightly cleaned coin that has retoned will not reduce the value nearly as much as a harshly cleaned/polished coin. In the same way, by having the coin plugged/re-engraved and making it look less damaged, the price will go up. Obviously, it will never be as valuable as a problem-free coin, but a holed coin that will normally bring 25%-30% of FMV may now bring 50%-60% of FMV.

I also agree with your point that it's much easier to sell a plugged coin than a holed coin. After all, the price of a coin is strongly influenced by it's eye-appeal. Now, since this coin isn't worth tens of thousands of dollars outright, it's left to be seen whether the cost of having it professionally plugged/re-engraved is worthwhile. You can only know this one you ask for an estimate from someone who does this kind of work.

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