Series: Liberty Gold Dollars 1849-1889
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 4 |
| 60 or Better | 4 |
| 65 or Better | 2 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-9.8 |
| 60 or Better | R-9.8 |
| 65 or Better | R-9.9 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 1 / 2 |
| 60 or Better | 1 / 2 |
| 65 or Better | 1 / 2 |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 2 / 38 |
| 60 or Better | 2 / 38 |
| 65 or Better | 1 / 38 TIE |
|
#1 PR estimated grade
National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution |
|
#2 PR estimated grade
J.P. Morgan Collection, donated in 1908 - American Numismatic Society Collection (Identifier 1908.93.241) |
The year 1854 saw a couple of design changes in U.S. coins, all initiated by James Ross Snowden, who became Mint Director in 1853. On the Three Cent Silver coins, the weight was reduced, two outlines were added around the star on the obverse, and an olive branch and a bunch of arrows were added to the reverse. Rays were removed from the reverse of the Quarter Dollar and Half Dollar denominations. And, the Gold Dollar was redesigned by Longacre to feature a Liberty head and wreath similar to those seen on the new Three Dollar Gold pieces (which also debuted earlier in 1854).
No circulation strikes are known from the 1854 Proof dies.
The 1854 Proof dies are different from any other circulation strike or Proof dies used later in 1854 or in 1855 and 1856. Differences include a higher positioning of "LIBERTY" on the headband, smaller beads in the top row, and some separation of the first three feathers in the headdress.
One Proof example was sent to Treasury Secretary Guthrie for approval on August 17, 1854; it was returned on August 18 and coinage began on August 19. The decision to begin striking was based on the approval of the Proof example viewed by Guthrie, but apparently, modifications to the dies had already been made based on internal Mint decisions to reject the original design.
The only complete set of 1854 Proof coins known was presented to the City of Bremen in July, 1854 in a swap for some of their coins. This was well before the Small Indian Head Proofs made their appearance. No other complete Proof sets are known or suspected.
Sources and/or recommended reading: "Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins 1722-1977" by Walter Breen
Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia Of U.S. And Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen