1879 $1 J-1631 PR65 Certification #40273731, PCGS #62009

Ron Guth

The 1879 Goloid Dollar is an unusual pattern coin designed by George T. Morgan (known more famously for the "Morgan" Silver Dollar).  The alloy contained a small amount of gold, which allowed the diameter of the coin to be reduced.  Experts have estimated that a dozen of these are known to exist, but only four have appeared at auction according to the PCGS APR listings.  In fact, the price record for J-1631 goes all the way back to 1980, when the Garrett example sold for $19,000.  Morgan's coiled hair design was repeated on some pattern coins in 1880, stimulating a comparison with the 1879 and 1880 Coiled Hair Stellas.