Circulated 1857-S Gold
lermish
Posts: 4,721 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have been fascinated by 1857 as one of the most interesting years in U.S. numismatics. It saw the Coinage Act, which finally removed foreign coins as legal tender in the United States. It also marked the end of the Large Cent and the half cent. Then there was the sinking of the SS Central America. Much has been written about it from a numismatic perspective, but I'm equally interested in its broader economic ramifications and the knock-on effects that helped influence the secession of the slave states.
As a Northern California native, I've always taken a personal interest in collecting San Francisco Mint issues along with Pioneer gold. I originally bought a non-SSCA 1857-S $20 for the No Motto Double Eagle slot in my type set. While I appreciate the history of the SS Central America coins, I've never been particularly drawn to them. Most appear overprocessed to my eye, they tend to command a premium despite not being especially scarce, and I really like the idea of owning gold coins that actually circulated in the Old West.
With that in mind, I decided to put together a circulated denomination set of 1857-S gold. I may slowly add other 1857 issues over time, but for now my primary goal with the set is complete.
Please post your 1857 dated coins.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
Comments
Copper, not gold.
An odd duck but it's 1857. I cannot remember what type of error this is.
Very cool collecting theme. I collect first and last year type along with other type - if the cost of high-grade examples doesn’t scare me off (e.g. no 1916 SLQ). So I have the 1857 large cent and half cent. Another fun year is 1873.
PS. Born in SF, just starting pioneers, Kellogg next up.
Nice collection @lermish
Looks like Grease filled dies... I like It!
It's all about what the people want...
As I focus on FE’s, these two are among my faves:
The 66+ was formerly owned by Stewart Blay; it’s still the only 66+.
The S-9 was slightly lower graded than a 65+ I had, but I kept this one as I liked it better!
No 1857 gold, but I do like the S mints, too, as it’s “local” for me. Nice thread!
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Great idea for a set and great group of coins.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Struck on a tapered type 2 planchet if underweight, otherwise by vertically misaligned dies.
Mr_Spud
"Tapered this planchet waws my first thought. Could probably tell for sure by weight.
5.2 grams. Sorry I didn't mean to hijack the thread!
p45 and p40 cac respectively.
Not a hijacking at all, interesting stuff and relevant to 1857 coinage.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
Nice idea for a set! I have a 57-S $20 gold, from the so-called "Granite Lady Hoard." Unfortunately, I do not have a photo. (I need to get that remedied.)
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
EF 40, ANACS soapbar
Sounds right for tapered thin.
No gold that I own, just a couple of lousy circulated examples. Half dimes and Seated dimes from the personal collections, the quarter is from my inventory.
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From my website, I have photographed most of the minor issues of 1857 plus the Gold Dollar from Philadelphia:
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For anyone that wants to browse a more interactive version:
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/Coins_by_the_Year/Coins_by_the_Year.html#1857
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And this is the layout for an 1857 year set a local collector requested. He elected not to pursue the larger gold coins.
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Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
This resides in my “Gold Box” I understand that it’s not very valuable but i certainly appreciate that it saw real use…
VF20