1904 G$1 Lewis and Clark MS66+ Certification #84009314, PCGS #7447

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

In 1905, Portland, Oregon hosted the Lewis and Exposition in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the exploration of the Louisiana Puchase by two interpid pioneers, Meriwether Lewis & William Clark. In anticipation of the exposition, Congress authorized in 1904 the striking of up to 250,000 gold dollars to be sold to the public. Not surprisingly, Farran Zerbe had a hand in this legislation, as he did with the gold dollars issued for the 1904 Louisiana Exposition. Unfortunately, sales of the Lewis & Clark gold dollars were disappointing, and the majority of the coins struck were eventually melted. The total number sold of the 1904 Lewis & Clark Gold Dollar is reported at 10,025 coins, a far cry from the 125,000 coins authorized.

This issue is one of the rarest early gold commems, but sufficient numbers exist to satisfy collector demand. Hundreds of them are available in grades ranging from MS62 to MS65. Even MS66 examples are readily available, and only in MS67 does this coin become rare. Quite a few of the 1904 Lewis & Clark Gold Dollars entered circulation, but no more so than any of the other gold commems. Apparently, the prospects of big profits never materialized and many collectors simply spent their coins.

PCGS #

7447

Designer

Charles E. Barber

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

14.30 millimeters

Weight

1.70 grams

Mintage

10025

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

2135

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	6000	R-3.8	8 / 13	8 / 13
All Grades	4500	R-4.1	5 / 13 TIE	5 / 13 TIE
60 or Better	600	R-5.8	4 / 13	4 / 13

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	6000
All Grades	4500
60 or Better	600

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-3.8
All Grades	R-4.1
60 or Better	R-5.8

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	8 / 13
All Grades	5 / 13 TIE
60 or Better	4 / 13

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	8 / 13
All Grades	5 / 13 TIE
60 or Better	4 / 13

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 PCGS grade	Swiss America - Dr. Merritt Collection - Heritage 6/2006:4668, $57,500
1	MS68 PCGS grade	NiceGold Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
3	MS67+ PCGS grade	Paul Denby Collection - Heritage 4/2016:4861, $25,850
3	MS67+ PCGS grade
5	MS67 PCGS grade	David Lawrence 11/2018:1637771, $13,250 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 6/2019:507

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

Swiss America - Dr. Merritt Collection - Heritage 6/2006:4668, $57,500

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

NiceGold Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#3 MS67+ PCGS grade

Paul Denby Collection - Heritage 4/2016:4861, $25,850

#3 MS67+ PCGS grade

#5 MS67 PCGS grade

David Lawrence 11/2018:1637771, $13,250 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 6/2019:507