Numismatic

1849-O $1 Liberty Head Gold MS-64 NGC

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In 1849, the United States Mint introduced a tiny yet significant denomination: the gold one-dollar coin. This first-year issue, struck at the branch mint in New Orleans, represents the initial design type of the series, commonly referred to by enthusiasts as the Type-1 Liberty Head. Containing 0.0483 troy ounces of pure gold in a 0.900 fine alloy, this small coin carries an immense amount of historical charm. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her hair styled with a band that clearly reads the word LIBERTY. Thirteen stars encircle the portrait, representing the original colonies. On the reverse, a simple wreath encloses the denomination and the 1849 date, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. An O mintmark below the wreath denotes its Southern origin. With a total mintage of 215,000 pieces, surviving examples are highly prized. This particular specimen has been certified in outstanding Mint State 64 condition, preserving the intricate details of its classic mid-nineteenth-century engraving.