$1 Gold Liberty Type 1 - PCGS MS62 (Random Year)

Buyback price:  $615.63
Bullion Standard Pro Buyback price:  $624.38

Product ID: BST-000515A0CE

Specifications

Random Year Status Random Year
Precious Metal Type Gold
Bullion Coin Type Liberty Head Dollar
Format Coin
Country of Origin United States
Brand/Mint U.S. Mint
Mint Mark Various
Purity 0.9
Weight 0.0483 oz
Thickness (mm) 1 mm
Diameter (mm) 12.7 mm
Grade MS62
Grading Service PCGS

Product Details

Overview of $1 Gold Liberty Type 1

The $1 Gold Liberty Type 1 is the first of three distinct subtypes within the United States gold dollar series, struck by the United States Mint beginning in 1849. Each coin contains 0.0483 troy ounces of gold at .900 fine purity, making it one of the smallest gold coins ever produced for circulation in American history. We offer this coin graded MS62 by PCGS, one of the most trusted third-party grading services in the numismatic industry.

The MS62 grade places this coin firmly in Mint State territory, indicating no signs of circulation wear while reflecting the kind of minor surface marks typical of coins handled or stored in contact with other pieces before being preserved. For buyers seeking a genuine United States gold coin with certified authentication and an accessible price point relative to higher grades, this is a strong entry into early American gold coinage.

History and Background

Congress authorized the gold dollar denomination through the Coinage Act of 1849, the same legislation that created the double eagle. The Type 1 design was produced from 1849 through 1854 across multiple United States Mint facilities, including Philadelp

Overview of $1 Gold Liberty Type 1

The $1 Gold Liberty Type 1 is the first of three distinct subtypes within the United States gold dollar series, struck by the United States Mint beginning in 1849. Each coin contains 0.0483 troy ounces of gold at .900 fine purity, making it one of the smallest gold coins ever produced for circulation in American history. We offer this coin graded MS62 by PCGS, one of the most trusted third-party grading services in the numismatic industry.

The MS62 grade places this coin firmly in Mint State territory, indicating no signs of circulation wear while reflecting the kind of minor surface marks typical of coins handled or stored in contact with other pieces before being preserved. For buyers seeking a genuine United States gold coin with certified authentication and an accessible price point relative to higher grades, this is a strong entry into early American gold coinage.

History and Background

Congress authorized the gold dollar denomination through the Coinage Act of 1849, the same legislation that created the double eagle. The Type 1 design was produced from 1849 through 1854 across multiple United States Mint facilities, including Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Each of these mints contributes to the variety and collectibility of the Type 1 series, and coins carry individual mint marks that distinguish their origin.

The Type 1 was the original and smallest iteration of the gold dollar, and its narrow diameter made it notoriously difficult to handle. This practical inconvenience was one of the driving reasons the Mint introduced the larger Type 2 design in 1854. Despite its relatively short production run, the Type 1 remains the most commonly encountered subtype and represents the opening chapter of a denomination that would remain in production until 1889.

Because coins in this series were produced at multiple branch mints during a period of significant expansion in American commerce and westward settlement, the Type 1 holds meaningful historical context beyond its metal content. The gold that fed many of these coins flowed directly from California and other sources connected to the mid-19th century gold rush era.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with the word "LIBERTY," surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the date below. The design was executed by James B. Longacre, the Mint's chief engraver at the time, and reflects the neoclassical aesthetic that dominated American coinage during the mid-1800s. The coin's small diameter, roughly the size of a modern shirt button, gives the portrait an especially compact and detailed appearance.

The reverse displays an open agricultural wreath encircling the denomination "1 DOLLAR," with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the periphery. The wreath is rendered with fine detail and provides a clean, balanced counterpoint to the portrait side. Because the coin is so small, the relief on both sides demands close inspection to fully appreciate Longacre's engraving work, which holds up well under magnification.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At 0.0483 troy ounces, the $1 Gold Liberty Type 1 is one of the smallest gold denominations in American numismatic history. Its compact size makes it accessible at a lower absolute price than larger gold coins, which can appeal to buyers looking to add a genuine piece of 19th-century United States gold to a collection without committing to the cost of a larger denomination. The small format also makes it easier to hold multiples without significant storage space requirements.

The trade-off is practical handling. The coin's diameter is genuinely small, and holding or examining it without a proper flip or capsule is not recommended. For MS62 certified pieces housed in a PCGS slab, this concern is largely managed by the holder itself, which protects the coin and makes it far easier to examine and store safely.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Every coin in this listing has been authenticated and graded by PCGS, one of the two most recognized third-party grading services in the numismatic world. PCGS certification confirms that the coin has been examined by professional numismatists, verified as genuine, assessed for grade consistency, and sealed in a tamper-evident holder. The certification number on the slab can be confirmed directly through the PCGS registry.

We are an authorized PCGS dealer, which means the certified coins we offer come through channels that meet PCGS's standards for authenticity and handling. For a series like the Type 1 gold dollar, where counterfeits and altered coins do exist in the marketplace, PCGS certification provides a meaningful layer of protection that raw coins simply cannot offer. The holder itself provides both authentication confidence and physical protection for a coin that is easy to damage given its size.

Condition and Packaging

MS62 is a Mint State grade on the Sheldon scale, meaning the coin shows no signs of circulation wear but does exhibit noticeable contact marks or bag marks that are visible to the naked eye. At this grade level, the luster is typically still present across most of the coin's surface, though it may be somewhat disrupted. MS62 represents a meaningful step up from circulated examples and offers genuine Mint State quality at a more accessible price than MS63 and higher grades.

Because this coin is PCGS certified, it ships in the standard PCGS plastic slab, which provides physical protection and serves as the coin's permanent holder. No additional packaging changes the presentation of a slabbed coin. The slab itself protects the coin from contact, handling oils, and environmental exposure, and the certification label identifies the coin, its grade, and its PCGS certification number for registry verification. Since this is offered as a random year, the specific date and mint mark will vary, but all pieces will carry the MS62 grade designation from PCGS.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for this coin is influenced by the current spot price of gold, but because it is a certified numismatic item, the premium structure reflects more than just metal content. Collector demand, the relative scarcity of specific dates and mint marks within the Type 1 series, and the PCGS MS62 grade all contribute to how this coin is priced above spot. The small gold content of 0.0483 troy ounces means the numismatic component of the price is proportionally significant.

Market conditions for early American gold coins can shift based on auction results, collector interest, and broader numismatic trends that do not always move in lockstep with the gold spot price. Our pricing reflects current market conditions and is structured to give buyers a clear understanding of what they are paying relative to both the underlying metal and the certified grade. We display bid and ask pricing on our product pages so buyers can evaluate the full cost of ownership rather than focusing only on the purchase price.

Selling and Liquidity

PCGS-certified gold coins from the 19th century trade actively in both the numismatic auction market and the dealer-to-dealer wholesale market. The MS62 grade is one of the most commonly encountered Mint State grades for Type 1 gold dollars, which means there is genuine familiarity with this specific coin among dealers and collectors. That familiarity contributes to liquidity compared to rarer or more obscure certified coins at the same grade.

We operate a two-way market, meaning customers can sell coins back to us as well as purchase through our platform. Understanding the bid side of the market before completing a purchase is something we actively encourage. The bid and ask spread visible on our product pages provides a real-time picture of the current gap between purchase price and resale value, which is especially relevant for numismatic items where the spread can differ meaningfully from standard bullion products.

Why Buy the $1 Gold Liberty Type 1?

The Type 1 gold dollar occupies a specific and well-defined niche in American numismatics. It is the founding entry of a storied denomination, produced at a range of historic branch mints during a formative era in United States monetary history. For buyers interested in early American gold coinage, the MS62 grade provides a Mint State example at a more approachable price than higher-grade certified examples, without sacrificing the authentication confidence that PCGS certification provides.

The random year format means buyers receive a genuine PCGS MS62 Type 1 gold dollar without paying a premium for a specific date. For those focused on the grade and type rather than a particular year or mint mark, this format offers solid value. The coin also serves as a compact physical gold holding that combines numismatic character with the intrinsic value of .900 fine gold.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have been operating as a trusted precious metals dealer since 2010, and our approach is built on transparency rather than pressure. As an authorized PCGS dealer, we handle certified coins with care and offer them with full confidence in their authentication. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and active memberships in the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect a long-standing commitment to professional standards across every transaction.

Our platform is designed to give buyers the information they need to make confident decisions. Pricing is displayed in real time alongside bid and ask spreads so that the full picture of a transaction is visible before a purchase is made. We support both buying and selling within the same ecosystem, which means liquidity is not an afterthought but a core part of how we operate. Responsive customer support and reliable fulfillment back every order, and our entire operation is structured to prioritize long-term trust over short-term sales volume.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across the precious metals market, including certified numismatic coins like this Type 1 gold dollar. Rather than relying on static retail pricing, Pro members see real-time market pricing that reflects current wholesale supply and demand. Real-time portfolio valuation using live wholesale bid prices gives members a more accurate picture of current liquidation value rather than a retail-based estimate.

Pro also includes proprietary product research tools that allow members to evaluate premiums, historical premium trends, bid and ask spreads, and liquidity characteristics across different products. For a certified numismatic coin where the premium structure is more complex than standard bullion, having access to objective historical data and market analytics helps members understand how this type of coin has traded over time and how current pricing compares to historical norms.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a broad range of payment methods to make every transaction straightforward and secure. Buyers can complete purchases using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, or cryptocurrency via BitPay. Each method is integrated into a secure checkout process designed to protect buyer information at every step.

Whether you prefer the convenience of a major credit card or the efficiency of a wire transfer for a larger purchase, the flexibility is built into our platform from the start. Every payment option is available through a checkout experience that prioritizes security, clarity, and a smooth path from selection to confirmed order.

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