Charlotte Mint Gold Dollar

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Randy Abercrombie, Dec 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM.

  1. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I been wanting some Charlotte minted gold for a very long time. Happens that a Charlotte mint gold dollar has shown up on a local auction. I am very tempted to take a swing at this, but I am not confident in the piece primarily because it isn't slabbed. To me that sets off all the red flags. Would you pass?

    dollar.png dollar obverse.png
     
    BuffaloHunter likes this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Just over 41,200 minted. I’m not good at these. One of the early years so I’d be cautious but it looks okay to me. You said it was a local auction so, don’t know or trust the owner? If you bought it and sent it in for grading would they buy it back? Would they be willing to send it in before you pay? Sorry I can’t be more helpful but better safe than sorry.
     
    dwhiz and Randy Abercrombie like this.
  4. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    No... This little auction house might be selling old construction equipment one week, old cars the next and old tools the next.... He doesn't know what he has if it is in fact genuine.
     
    dwhiz and Mr.Q like this.
  5. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    I would wait for a slabbed Charlotte or at least when you can hold it in hand before you buy. thumbsup.gif
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  6. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    My Red Book is 3 years old and it’s listed for $1350 in VF-20. If you can pick it up at a good price it may be worth the chance. It contains .04837 of gold so to the math. :)
     
    -jeffB and Randy Abercrombie like this.
  7. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Do you have the opportunity to view it in hand before the auction? I'd say bring a loupe and take a look at the very least. Not being an expert in the series, I know that I personally would pass because that is a lot of money to risk. But if it goes for a steal then you have some upside.
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  8. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    2026 Red Book values the coin 1851-C AU-50 $3,000, AU-58 $8,000. BUYER BEWARE. Just my opinion.
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  9. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    No way to view that one unless I took a day off to drive to it. That one is in Tennessee as I recall….. I know old valuable pieces can still show up these day that aren’t slabbed and I do keep my eyes open for that sort of deal…. But a lot of old gold has been very convincingly counterfeited. I am going to ask the auction house for a better photo. If they ignore me then I will take a hard pass I think.
     
  10. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Well, my perspective has changed 100%. I just spoke to the auctioneer. A super nice and helpful fellow. Says his raw coins are authenticated by an old acquaintance of his that used to work for PCGS and he guaranteed the authenticity and will give a full refund if proved otherwise. He is also taking close up photos for me….. I am making a run at this one.
     
  11. Spark1951

    Spark1951 Accomplishment, not Activity

    Randy, I don’t know what you plan on paying, but I saw a listing at NGC for an 1851-C in AU58 for $3,500.00. The Red Book amount doesn’t jive to me.

    Anyway, good luck and I hope you make a good buy…Spark
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  12. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    That was my first response. You can tell a lot about a person speaking to them. Best wishes on this venture. It may be worth the drive to see the coin in person. M as the u you oh could drive up on Saturday to view the coin or the day of the auction so you can bring the coin home with you.
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  13. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I am going to bid as though it were a VF40 and see how that goes. A piece of Charlotte gold would sure go a long ways towards emptying my bucket list.
     
  14. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    And your wallet. Lol
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  15. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    @Randy Abercrombie Don't worry about the cost, it’s only money. The two coins I need to complete my collection cost more than the coin you want. And I’ve paid more than that for several coins and notes in my collection. I’m talking for each specimen, not as a lot adding them together. :)
     
  16. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    I would like to think that the coin is somewhere in the AU range.
    What if it comes back details. Make sure that you have accounted for that in your bids.
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  17. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Sounds like a nice chap.

    Buy it, submit it, if it's good, great. If it isn't.. full refund? There is no losing for you unless you pay too much!
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  18. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

    On second look, your C does not match the C in this genuine example.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  19. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    He said he would refund the price in full. He won’t take any responsibility for grade, but if the coin is bad he will refund in full.
     
  20. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

  21. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

    I edited my post. The mint mark does not match.
    Very hard to see from your photo which may be intentional.
    But when I copied it and blew it up the C looks different in shape and
    placement. In the genuine example the C is cleaner and more centered.
    Well it's no gamble if they will reimburse the price paid.
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page