Numismatic

1903 Gold $1.00 Louisiana Purchase Jefferson BU

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In 1903, the United States minted a special gold dollar to mark the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. This issue features a left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the president who oversaw the monumental land acquisition. Designed by Charles Barber, the obverse captures Jefferson's profile, surrounded by the name of the issuing nation. The reverse of this delicate gold piece pairs a simple olive branch with the dual dates of 1803 to 1903, directly referencing the century that had passed since the historic territory transfer. The inscriptions on the reverse confirm its commemorative purpose, celebrating the Louisiana Purchase Exposition alongside the one-dollar denomination. Struck in 90 percent pure gold with a weight containing 0.0483 troy ounces of precious metal, these coins were produced at the Philadelphia Mint. Although the original mintage reached 17,500 pieces, many of these coins were later melted down, making surviving examples in Brilliant Uncirculated condition a compelling find for those studying early American commemorative coinage.