What is the story with wit the weak D Dahlonega gold coins

TexasNationals

I saw one for sale in a NCG holder, how much less doe these command? Anyone have a picture?

Jeff

CharlotteDude

The mintmark's weakness will determine the coin's value compared to a strong mintmark variety of similar grade. One date for Dahlonega and Charlotte mint coins that has both weak and strong mintmark varieties is the 1850 Half Eagle. Some coins have nice, strongly impressed mintmarks, while many have mintmarks that are scarcely perceptible, even with a good glass. Those coins with very weakly impressed mintmarks generally go for 20-25% less than coins with strong mintmarks. The weakly impressed mintmarked coins go for less because collectors of those particular mints avoid them... if they wanted a coin on which one could hardly see a mintmark, they'd just buy a Philly coin for alot less money.

cheers,

'dude

RYK

I would not purchase a "weak D" or "weak C" coin. People who collect C and D always buy strong MM coins, and the demand for the weak MM coins is, well, weak. No matter how much of a discount that you pay for them, compared to the strong MM, it is not enough when it comes time to sell.

TomB

Agree with my two much more experienced Southern gold board members.

GeorgeKellogg

I agree that in general, a strong mint mark is more desirable.

If one gets into collecting die varieties, however, sometimes the purchase of a weak D is warranted, if the price is right.

As an example, although I owned a nice PCGS AU53 OGH 1851-D half eagle (with a strong D), I subsequently purchased the same date with a weak D (PCGS XF40). It was priced right ($875), which seemed way too cheap to me. The 1851-D Weak D is also a quite rare variety. I note that the PCGS Price Guide lists the 1851-D Weak D at $3250, while the strong D in that grade D is priced at $3000.

scottgardener

For $850, I'll settle for a weak D.

crypto79

I can't ever recall seeing a D oe C mint 5$ Lib in Graded PCGS plastic go for under 1000$ that wasn't dated 1906 or 7 no matter what it looked like. You're either very lucky