Two gold birds with one stone...?

I looked back through this thread and did not see anyone comment on the historical nature of the coin. The Charlotte Mint, like Dahlonega, was in business for a very short period because the gold ran out and the Civil War caused the Union to shutter them. The coins from these two mints have a historical context that is beyond collecting and grade. I think we need to preserve them all for future generations no matter what condition.

When I was about 10 (many moons ago) I had a cousin in Athens, Georgia who was a Dahnolega Mint collector. He put together a complete set of the gold coins from the Mint which had to be rare even in the 60s. I would love to be able to replicate that set no matter the condition. Most of these coins were used in commerce, and I am sure Roosevelt melted more than a few. So historically I view them as very important no matter the condition.

I believe the coin in question sold for $303, so about in the middle of the prices discussed here and I believe a bargain if purchased for the long haul.

 

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Previous sale should have no bearing on current value. I just looked it up. Wow, nice score! Like I said, should easily fetch OVER $200!

 

No, but it can create expectations based on "fairness", and there's the whole anchoring issue. I try not to manipulate people into making decisions that are bad for them, but I also try not to manipulate them into making decisions that are bad for me.

 

It is all too often easy to forget that not everyone is familiar with the history, so thank you for bringing it up and touching upon it. Each coin from either Charlotte or Dahlonega (or New Orleans, albeit to a lesser extent imo) no matter the condition, is indeed a treasure well beyond their metal content or even numismatic significance.

Interesting story about your cousin. A very, very special set, indeed.

Below are a few starter links for anyone not familiar yet interested in either mint.

http://www.southerngoldsociety.org/charlotte-mint/

http://www.southerngoldsociety.org/dahlonega-mint/

 

Nice write ups and they cover a lot of history in a just a few swell chosen words. I believe the phrase "There's gold in them thar' hills!" was declared from the Dahlonega courthouse as they begged prospectors not to go west but to stay and mine here. There were many gold mines around our property here in north Georgia, but so far I have not struck it rich in the garden. Because of service in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 my family had a number of successful draws in the final gold lottery. But like so many they just sold their claims and stayed put on the farm over around Athens.

 

Did somebody say Charlotte?

 

Yeah. Whatcha got in the <$100 range?

 

Welp, here it is:





Haven't taken it out of the 2x2 yet, so apologies for reflections and oddities around the rim; that also means, of course, that I haven't gotten an accurate weight. I wanted to study it a bit first and see if there were any obvious signs it was bogus. (And, of course, seek opinions here!)

 

Love it! Great pick up!

 

Heh. During my search for comparison images, I turned up this current listing:

1851 C MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR #11879 $ NICE COIN $ US RARE KEY DATE Indian Head

Apparently the seller can't read, because it clearly says "Peace dollar" right there on the photo. Also "+++". But it's apparently a really weak mintmark.

There are a number of subtle differences in the details of this coin vs. mine. I hope that doesn't call the authenticity of mine into question.

 

Money back guarantee, Jeff; its perfectly real.

The date is also rather high, and if memory serves me, is the rarer, or at least not the most common, variety for this date. Excellent pick up.

 

Hmm. If I have to start buying books about gold dollar or Charlotte-mint varieties and attribution, this thing could get expensive after all...

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Well, I removed it from its 2x2 and weighed it. 1 gram flat (0.98 - 1.00), on a scale that measured an uncirculated silver Roosie at 2.52g. That's quite low (1.67g as minted), but plausible if the love-token side was planed off rather than simply smoothed. I'll try to find my micrometer and do a thickness measurement tonight.

 

You should... very good and interesting stuff, even if you don't collect them.

If I may....

https://raregoldcoins.com/blog/dougs-books/gold-coins-of-the-charlotte-mint-1838-1861

Thanks for the weight update, but I wouldn't worry too much about it, and say this even after checking my notes and taking another look close look. Everything is correct, and even the proper doubling is (barely) visible on the second A in AMERICA.

 

Thanks for that; it puts my mind at ease.

 

Well, I took this one to the big Raleigh show, and as it happens, the very first dealer I showed it to was the one who knew the right buyers. I ended up selling it to him in a cash deal, with a verbal agreement that he'd send me a check if any of his buyers went higher than the first one he was able to reach.

As for price -- well, let's say that listing it as a $500 BIN would have been leaving money on the table.

 

I still don't think it is worth more than $200. But good for you.

 

And that's why you're not buying it. I'm not sure it's worth more than $500, and that's why I'm not keeping it.

 

This is both an excellent example of and the very reason why I stress that connecting with the "right" buyer is paramount. That said, I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment, and also congratulate you on an excellent return.