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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;giorgio11, post: 857016, member: 17094&quot;]A couple of key points from Doug Winter&#039;s second edition, <i>Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861:</i></p><p><br /></p><p>STRIKE ... The border is much softer than the center. The U (UNITED) is always weak. TED is heavy and doubled. The denticles from 7-3 o&#039;clock are so weak as to appear nonexistent. The reverse center is sharp with good wreath detail. The denticles are almost always weak and can usually be seen only from the 3-8 o&#039;clock area with the rest of the border very flat.</p><p><br /></p><p>Other diagnostics: On obv. there is always a prominent clash mark at Liberty&#039;s throat and another directlyt behind the headdress. On the rev. there are clash marks in the wreath. The right bow knot is separated as the result of die polish as is the leaf to the left of the 1 in the date. These are found on all genuine examples, even well worn ones.</p><p><br /></p><p>DIE VARIETIES. Only one is known. The date is low and even. The 5 and 4 touch. The mintmark is large and high with a slight downward tilt to the right. It appears that the mintmark is the same as one used on one of the 1854-D half eagle varieties.</p><p><br /></p><p>MY PERSONAL OPINION. If the weight checks out on this piece (about 5.0 gm minus a little bit for wear), I think it&#039;s a winner. While some of the diagnostics I cannot clearly see in the photo, nothing that I do see leads me to think it&#039;s bogus. The 1854-D is in extremely strong demand as a first-year branch mint issue. It&#039;s also the only D-mint three dollar gold. You definitely need to weigh it and send it in to NGC or PCGS. I think it&#039;s about a VF35. DON&#039;T CLEAN IT! Good luck!</p><p><br /></p><p>George[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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