1861 Gold Dollar|1861 Gold $1 NGC MS62 CAC|Civil War Gold

1861 Gold Dollar - 1861 Gold $1 NGC MS62 CAC. Civil War Gold Dollar. This Mint State, Civil War dated 1861 Gold Dollar shimmers with bright mint luster in protected areas of both sides of the coin. The surfaces are clean for the grade with no abrasion marks or other distractions worthy of mention. Clash marks are prominent on both sides and add to the coins interest. The strike is strong with full details on the Indians hair, the LIBERTY on the headband, and the two central numerals of the date. The CAC sticker tells us that the coin fully merits the assigned grade and that it is a premium quality piece.

James B. Longacre designed the Indian Princess gold dollar. It shows a head of Liberty facing left wearing a stylized feathered headdress. It is inscribed LIBERTY on the headband. She is surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse shows an open wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and tobacco tied below with a bow. The wreath encircles the denomination, 1 DOLLAR, and the date. The problem with the coin was that it did not strike up well. In fact mint state examples looked worn and, in some cases, so circulated that the date could not be read on the coin. This problem most affected the branch mint issues, which Longacre did not get to see until afterwards. The proofs that he saw did not have this as a problem. To remedy this situation, Longacre designed the Large Head gold dollar, of which the present coin is an example. While the design was similar to the previous issue, Longacre lowered the relief and moved the obverse head so as not to be opposite a reverse relief area.

Longacre was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre began a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena. In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work. In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver.

Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two-cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three-dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle.

In its population report, as of October 2013, CAC shows 6 1861 gold dollar confirmed at the MS62 grade level. Only 3% of all 1861 gold dollars certified by both NGC and PCGS have been given CAC labels.