Numismatic

1903 Gold $1.00 Louisiana Purchase McKinley MS-64 PCGS

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In 1903, the United States issued a special gold dollar coin to mark the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. This small gold piece, containing 0.0483 troy ounces of precious metal, stands as a fascinating artifact from the early twentieth century. It represents one of the earliest commemorative gold issues from the nation, carrying a face value of one dollar and minted in 90 percent pure gold. Designed by Charles Barber, the obverse of the coin displays a left-facing portrait of President William McKinley. The reverse features a simple yet elegant olive branch, accompanied by the dual dates of 1803 to 1903 to signify the centennial milestone of the historic territory acquisition. While the original production run for this commemorative issue was 17,500 pieces, its actual survival rate is much lower. A significant portion of the original mintage was eventually melted down, making well-preserved examples particularly notable. This specific coin has been certified in Mint State 64 (MS-64), preserving the crisp details of Barber's design for modern observers to appreciate.