Numismatic

1903 Gold $1.00 Louisiana Purchase McKinley AU

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In 1903, the United States minted a special gold dollar to commemorate the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. This coin features a profile of President William McKinley looking to the left on its obverse, representing one of the earliest commemorative gold issues in the nation's history. The reverse design showcases an olive branch alongside the dual dates of 1803 to 1903, marking a century of American expansion. Crafted with 0.0483 troy ounces of 90 percent pure gold, this coin was designed by Charles Barber. It was produced specifically for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, a grand world's fair held in St. Louis. While the initial production run reached 17,500 pieces, a significant portion of the mintage was later melted down, making surviving examples in Almost Uncirculated condition particularly notable for modern observers.