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HomeCollecting StrategiesClassic US Coins: So You've Decided to Collect Dahlonega Gold...

Classic US Coins: So You’ve Decided to Collect Dahlonega Gold…

Classic US Coins: So You've Decided to Collect Dahlonega Gold...

By Doug WinterRareGoldCoins.com ……
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The Dahlonega Mint opened in 1838 as a result of the North Georgia gold rush. The difficulty of transporting gold ore to Philadelphia for deposits and/or coinage made this former backwater a viable location for the production of coinage. The Mint was opened until 1861 when the outbreak of the Civil War closed all three southern facilities.

If I had to select the Most Popular Branch Mint it would likely be Dahlonega (although Carson City could make this boast as well). Dahlonega gold coins have become an avidly sought-after area of the market with collectors from all over the country building sets; not just from the Atlanta area as was the case a few decades ago.

Dahlonega gold coinage exists in four denominations and there are no impossible rarities as with most of the other southern mints. There are numerous ways by which to collect Dahlonega coins, ranging from casual to obsessive. In this article, we will look at some of the most basic ways to collect these coins – along with some clever methods you might not have considered.

The Three- or Four-Coin Basic Denomination Set

The easiest way to collect Dahlonega gold is to acquire one example of each of the denominations which were produced at this mint. These are as follows:

  1. Gold Dollar: These were struck from 1849 through 1861 in three design types. The most available gold dollar from this mint is the 1849-D, which can be obtained in nice AU grades for $3,000 USD or less.
  2. Quarter Eagle: These were struck from 1839 through 1857, and again in 1859 in two design types. The date run from 1843 through 1848 are the most available issues, and a nice AU can be obtained for $5,000 or less.
  3. Three Dollars: This was produced only in 1854 and it is a rare, popular issue with just 1,120 struck. Many collectors do not include this issue in the basic denomination set due to its price. A nice AU will run in the $45,000-55,000+ range.
  4. Half Eagle: These were struck continuously from 1838 through 1861 in four design types. There are a number of dates in the 1840s and ’50s that are “common” and a nice AU can be obtained for $5,000 or less.

Four-coin type set of Dahlonega gold US coins. Image courtesy Doug Winter

Images courtesy Douglas Winter Numismatics (DWN)

If the three dollar piece is eliminated, then a very nice three-coin set of Dahlonega gold can be assembled for around $12,500-15,000. If this is too much money, then it’s possible to assemble the same set in the VF-EF range for around $6,000-7,000.

The 10-Coin Advanced Type Set

There are no less than 10 major design types of Dahlonega gold coinage. Many collectors seek to complete a set which includes one of each of the following:

1854-D $1.00 PCGS MS61, EX BASS. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1854-D $1.00 PCGS MS61, EX BASS

  1. Type One Gold Dollar (1849-1854): This type is reasonably common and can be found in grades up to MS62 or MS63. The 1849-D is the most common date, while the 1854-D is the rarest.
  2. Type Two Gold Dollar (1855 only): This type is rare and in great demand. Examples usually are seen in lower grades and most have weakness on the date. Choice examples with a strong date are worth a strong premium.
  3. Type Three Gold Dollar (1856-1861): Only two dates of this type are reasonably common (1858-D and 1859-D) and all are rare in Uncirculated. The 1856-D and 1860-D are rare, while the 1861-D is rare and much celebrated as the only issue positively made by the Confederacy.
  4. Classic Head Quarter Eagle (1839 only): This type is not really rare but it is in-demand as a one-year and first-year issue. It is seen in grades as high as MS62 to MS63, but most choice 1839-D quarter eagles are off the market.
  5. Liberty Head Quarter Eagle (1840-1859): Dates of this type range from common to rare and are generally available in grades up to MS62. I would recommend a better but not rare date (such as the 1849-D, 1850-D, or the 1851-D) as a type example.
  6. Three Dollar Gold Piece (1854 only): As mentioned above, this one-year type is rare and is in demand from many different collectors. It is extremely rare in Uncirculated and it is very hard to locate in properly graded AU55 to AU58.
  7. Classic Head Half Eagle (1838 only): As with the quarter eagle of this design, this one-year type is very popular and it is in strong demand. It is not rare from an absolute standpoint, but really nice pieces have become hard to locate.
  8. Liberty Head Obverse Mintmark Half Eagle (1839 only): The 1839-D half eagle was overlooked for years but it has finally become recognized for its numismatic significance and its rarity. This issue is very rare in Uncirculated, and most advanced collectors will “settle” for a nice AU.
  9. Liberty Head Reverse Mintmark Half Eagle with Small Letters Reverse (1840-1842): While not widely recognized this is a distinctive type. All three issues are obtainable in EF and AU grades but are very rare in Uncirculated.
  10. Liberty Head Reverse Mintmark Half Eagle with Large Letters Reverse (1842-1861): Dates of this type range from common to rare with most readily available in the EF and AU grades. Nice Uncirculated pieces are available with patience.

The most popular grade range for a 10-coin advanced set of Dahlonega gold is EF to Choice AU. An Uncirculated set is possible, but it is very rare and expensive due to the 1855-D dollar and the 1854-D three dollars.

A nicely matched set of EF coins costs approximately $125,000, with the Type Two gold dollar and the Three Dollar piece accounting for at least half of the total cost.

A set with all the coins in AU grades costs approximately $175,000 but the overall cost would be greater if the majority of the coins were AU55 to AU58 and were CAC approved.

1838-D $5.00 NGC MS62 CAC. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1838-D $5.00 NGC MS62 CAC

A set with all the coins in Uncirculated is possible but it is extremely difficult to complete. It would run in the $400,000-500,000 range and could potentially be even more if very high grade (MS63 and finer) coins are featured.

Collecting by Denomination

Every collector feels an affinity for a specific denomination. Each of the three primary denominations struck at the Dahlonega Mint have their pros and cons.

The small size of the gold dollar is a turn-off to some collectors. It is hard to embrace the concept of spending thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars for a coin that is about the size of the average adult’s thumbnail.

Also, the gold dollars from this mint are crude and they lack the “pretty” appearance that larger-sized, better-struck coins from this facility display.

Yet the very reasons that cause some people to dislike gold dollars are the same exact reasons why others like them. They are so small and can be so crude that this gives them a certain charm.

Sophisticated collectors like Dahlonega gold dollars due to their small mintage figures. Only one of the 13 issues has a mintage of more than 10,000, and five have mintages of 3,000 or less.

1849-D $1.00 PCGS EF45 CAC. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1849-D $1.00 PCGS EF45 CAC

The gold dollar series is the most expensive of the three primary denominations to collect on a coin-by-coin basis. A set of all 13 in nice EF grades will cost in excess of $125,000-150,000. In AU this set is a challenge but it is completable for less than $200,000. An Uncirculated set is also a realistic goal but four dates (1855-D, 1856-D, 1860-D, and 1861-D) are rare to very rare.

The Dahlonega quarter eagle set is the most challenging of the three primary denominations from this mint. Assembling a set requires a good deal of patience and careful study of specific issues. Six dates are very scarce to rare (1840-1842 and 1854-1856) and even the “common” dates are not regularly seen with good strikes, choice surfaces, and natural color.

1847-D $2.50 PCGS EF45 CAC. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1847-D $2.50 PCGS EF45 CAC

An EF set is certainly a realistic goal and it could be completed for around $150,000-175,000.

In AU grades, a Dahlonega quarter eagle set is very difficult to assemble, especially if quality and originality is an issue. A nice set will run in excess of $250,000.

It is theoretically possible to assemble a set in Uncirculated but this would be a remarkable accomplishment (as far as I know, it has only been done two or three times) and it would be both costly and long in duration.

The half eagle series is the most popular denomination from Dahlonega to collect. The coins are large in size and there are no impossible dates to acquire. Such a set consists of 26 different issues with two 1842-D (Small Date and Large Date) and two 1846-D (Normal Mintmark and D over D Mintmark).

The two scarcest issues are the 1842-D Large Date and the 1861-D. The former is much undervalued despite its being essentially unavailable in any Uncirculated grade. The latter is very popular, and as a result it has become one of the more expensive issues from this mint.

1861-D $5.00 PCGS AU58 CAC, OGH, EX PITTMAN. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1861-D $5.00 PCGS AU58 CAC, OGH, EX PITTMAN

Assembling a nice, evenly matched EF set of Dahlonega half eagles is not difficult. It will require around $125,000-150,000 with around half of this amount being used on the two key issues. An AU set will be more challenging and some of the “common” issues will prove harder to locate than one might imagine. This set will cost around $225,000-250,000. An Uncirculated set is theoretically possible, but as with the quarter eagles from this mint, a few issues will be nearly impossible to locate.

A Complete Set of Dahlonega Gold

A complete set of Dahlonega gold is generally understood to contain the following:

  • Gold Dollars: 13 issues struck between 1849 and 1861.
  • Quarter Eagles: 20 issues struck between 1839 and 1859.
  • Three Dollars: A single issue struck in 1854.
  • Half Eagles: 26 issues struck between 1838 and 1861.

This is a grand total of 60 different issues covering four different denominations.

1840-D $2.50 NGC AU55 CAC. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1840-D $2.50 NGC AU55 CAC

It is feasible that you could race through this set and assemble a full run in a year. But you will be cutting a lot of corners unless you get extremely lucky. Nice Dahlonega gold of all denominations can be really hard to locate and you might have to wait for years to find, say, a truly nice AU 1840-D quarter eagle.

Here are a few basic rules that should be followed:

Be Patient: You can finish a mediocre set quickly, but rushing inevitably leads to mistakes. Wait for the “right coin” to come along.

Stretch for Exceptional Coins: Truly choice, high-end Dahlonega coins are very hard to locate. Don’t miss out on the chance to purchase an important coin because it’s a little spendy. High-quality coins will inevitably pay for themselves in the long run.

Buy the Best You Can Afford: If you are focusing on Dahlonega gold then you have a comparatively high coin budget. But not every D mint specialist can get their arms around paying $30,000 for a really choice 1842-D Large Date half eagle. Establish your per-coin budget and be aggressive when a nice $15,000 version of this variety comes available.

If Possible, Buy the Rarest Coins First: Every denomination has at least a few “toughies”. In the quarter eagle series, the 1840-D and the 1856-D are often the last two coins added to a specialized set. If the right situation occurs, try and buy these before common issues such as the 1844-D or the 1847-D. And remember that your opportunities to purchase truly rare coins such as 1840-D quarter eagles are infrequent, while your chance to buy a common date like an 1844-D will be far more frequent.

Buy With Eye Appeal in Mind: The overall value of a complete set is enhanced when the coins are pretty. This sounds basic but it is not frequently followed by collectors. A really crusty PCGS AU58 1846-D quarter eagle is going to add more “oomph” to the overall quality of a set than a dipped, bright PCGS MS61 example of the same issue.

How much is it going to cost to assemble a significant complete set of D mint gold? My best guess is that you are looking at a million dollars or so, and this figure could get much higher if you are thinking of creating a world-class collection.

Buying the Issues with Multiple Levels of Demand

There is a select group of Dahlonega issues with multiple levels of demand. These are coins whose demand is not strictly from specialized Dahlonega collectors but also from first-year-of-issue collectors, one-year type specialists, etc. Putting together a set with nice examples of the following would be an interesting way to “dabble” in Dahlonega.

1861-D $1.00 PCGS MS61. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1861-D $1.00 PCGS MS61

  • 1855-D Dollar: The only Type Two dollar from this mint.
  • 1861-D Dollar: The only gold coin indisputably struck by the Confederacy.
  • 1839-D Quarter Eagle: The first quarter eagle from this mint and the only Classic Head quarter eagle from this facility.
  • 1854-D Three Dollar: The only Dahlonega three dollar gold piece.
  • 1838-D Half Eagle: The first half eagle from this mint and the only Classic Head half eagle from this facility.
  • 1839-D Half Eagle: The only Liberty Head half eagle with an obverse mintmark and a single-year type.
  • 1861-D Half Eagle: An issue with Confederate association.

1839-D $5.00 PCGS EF45. Images courtesy Doug Winter

1839-D $5.00 PCGS EF45

This seven-coin set would be expensive to complete (a minimum of $225,000-275,000 for above-average coins) but it would be extremely liquid, not to mention really fun to assemble.

A Few More Collecting Suggestions

Here are a few more collecting suggestions, ranging from quick and semi-easy to complex:

Some colorful EF Dahlonega gold half eagles. Images courtesy Doug Winter

Some colorful EF half eagles

A Year Set: 1854 is the only year in which all four denominations were made but there are other years in which a three-coin set (consisting of a gold dollar, a quarter eagle, and a half eagle) can be assembled. The most affordable is the 1849-D set but other good selections include 1850-D, 1851-D, 1852-D, 1853-D, and 1857-D.

Pedigree Set: There are a number of famous Dahlonega sets including but not limited to Eliasberg, Norweb, James Stack, Bass, Pittman, Jasper Robertson, North Georgia, Duke’s Creek, Green Pond, and Chestatee. An interesting set would “collect the collectors” and have an example from as many of these assemblages as possible.

Die Variety Set: A significant number of Dahlonega die varieties are recognized by the grading services and my books on Dahlonega gold cover these in detail. Many advanced collectors supplement their sets by adding significant varieties.

Color Set: A small percentage of Dahlonega coins so exceptional, rich natural colors. It would be interesting to create a set with a number of pieces that display great color.
Would you like to assemble a collection of Dahlonega gold coins with the help of the world’s leading US branch mint gold expert? Call Doug Winter at (214) 675-9897 and let’s discuss how we can begin working on your set.

Doug Winter Numismatics, specialists in U.S. gold coins

* * *

About Doug Winter

Doug_Winter2Doug has spent much of his life in the field of numismatics; beginning collecting coins at the age of seven, and by the time he was 10 years old, buying and selling coins at conventions in the New York City area.

In 1989, he founded Douglas Winter Numismatics, and his firm specializes in buying and selling choice and rare US Gold coins, especially US gold coins and all branch mint material.

Recognized as one of the leading specialized numismatic firms, Doug is an award-winning author of over a dozen numismatic books and the recognized expert on US Gold. His knowledge and an exceptional eye for properly graded and original coins have made him one of the most respected figures in the numismatic community and a sought after dealer by collectors and investors looking for professional personalized service, a select inventory of impeccable quality, and fair and honest pricing. Doug is also a major buyer of all US coins and is always looking to purchase collections both large and small. He can be reached at (214) 675-9897.

Doug has been a contributor to the Guidebook of United States Coins (also known as the “Redbook”) since 1983, Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins, Q. David Bowers’ Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Andrew Pollock’s United States Pattern and Related Issues

In addition, he has authored 13 books on US Gold coins including:
  • Gold Coins of the New Orleans Mint: 1839-1909
  • Gold Coins of the Carson City Mint: 1870 – 1893
  • Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861
  • Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861
  • The United States $3 Gold Pieces 1854-1889
  • Carson City Gold Coinage 1870-1893: A Rarity and Condition Census Update
  • An Insider’s Guide to Collecting Type One Double Eagles
  • The Connoisseur’s Guide to United States Gold Coins
  • A Collector’s Guide To Indian Head Quarter Eagles
  • The Acadiana Collection of New Orleans Coinage
  • Type Three Double Eagles, 1877-1907: A Numismatic History and Analysis
  • Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861: A Numismatic History and Analysis
  • Type Two Double Eagles, 1866-1876: A Numismatic History and Analysis

Finally, Doug is a member of virtually every major numismatic organization, professional trade group and major coin association in the US.

 

Doug Winter
Doug Winterhttps://www.raregoldcoins.com
Doug Winter founded Douglas Winter Numismatics (DWN) in 1985. The nationally renowned firm specializes in buying and selling rare United States gold coins. He has written over a dozen books, including the standard references on Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans gold coinage, and Type 1 Liberty Head Double Eagles. Douglas has also contributed to the A Guidebook of United States Coins, Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins, Q. David Bowers’ Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars, and Andrew Pollock’s United States Pattern and Related Issues. He is a member of the PNG, the ANA, the ANS, the NLG, CAC, PCGS, and NGC - among other professional affiliations. Contact Doug Winter at [email protected].

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