1854-P US $5 Gold Piece No Motto
Azurescens
Posts: 2,853 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just thought I'd share. Was the first gold coin we ever bought together. I forget what I paid but I'm thinking of getting it graded. I remember walking away happy. 550 max, I don't think I would've paid much over 500 for it. It caught my eye because they had a ridiculously low grade on it.
Mintage: 160,675
Minted at: Philadelphia
Designer - Engraver: Christian Gobrecht
Metal Composition: 90% Gold - 10% Copper
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Mass / Weight: 8.36 grams
I think these are nice pieces to have. They feel good in your hand, too. Imagine throwing this down on a poker table, the Boston Public Library opens, the Republican party had just been formed, the battle of Cieneguilla forces Apache and Ute to New Mexico with the US losing half their men, the Missouri compromise had been repealed and opened up Kansas and Nebraska.. what a year! Fractional distillation was discovered so petroleum and kerosene products could be made. The California Gold Rush would officially end the following year. People wouldn't have a color moving picture screen in their living rooms for 100 years.
I enjoy the reverse of this coin. The beak and head were important to me, as were feathers on the neck, and the breast is nice. On the front of the coin I was a bit disappointed with the stars (though much better than pictured), but I have a full liberty and that's what was most important. I wish the hair on the left side of her neck had a little more detail as to maybe steal the eye away from the gouges on the left and right sides. Not really a lot of wear.
http://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/3880/gold-5-half-eagle/coronet-head/1854-P/
I got away with this coin for in the 500-550 range. Think I should get it graded?
Cheers and hey folks thanks for looking. This is a great community and you're all interesting people.
- A
Edit: Forgot to add. I love the no motto variety because it keeps your eyes on the art. The arrows in his talons would've been nice if they were sharper, especially between 1 and 2. I like that her eyelid is defined. I would've traded that for a more distinct shield.
Comments
@Azurescens....Welcome aboard.... Nice old gold.... Not sure it would be worth slabbing unless you are considering selling... It is not the DDO, so probably worth about what you paid for it... If it were mine, I would keep it raw and enjoy it. Cheers, RickO
The historical aspects of this are a lot of fun. It's one of great things about collecting.
Unfortunately I don't think that this coin will get a "straight grade" because of cleaning. It will come back in a "details grade" holder.
Here is a bit more of the color and look you need to have.
I've seen worse grade, probably XF.
Thanks for the info. It was cleaned..?
And my one regret is it doesn't have that color to make it pop.
it's hard to say for sure, with those photos.