Numismatic

1851-C $1 Liberty Head Gold Dollar MS-61 NGC

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In 1851, the southern branch mint in Charlotte, North Carolina, struck a limited run of just 41,267 gold dollars. This tiny denomination, minted from 0.900 fine gold, contains 0.0484 troy ounces of precious metal. Today, surviving specimens from this specific southern facility represent a compelling chapter in early American gold coinage. The obverse of this small gold coin features a left-facing portrait of Liberty. She wears a hair band inscribed with the word "Liberty" and is surrounded by a ring of thirteen stars representing the original colonies. On the reverse, the coin displays its denomination of "1 Dollar" and the year "1851" nested within a wreath, with the legend "United States of America" arching above. The distinctive "C" mint mark is placed below the wreath, identifying its origin at the historic Charlotte Mint. This particular specimen has survived the decades in remarkable condition, graded as Mint State 61 (MS-61). Because these coins were intended for active daily commerce, finding a mid-nineteenth-century southern gold dollar that escaped heavy wear is an exciting discovery for any numismatic enthusiast.