1854 Ty 2 Gold $1 NGC AU58 CAC

The 1854 Type 2 Gold Dollar is one of the shortest-lived and most intriguing designs in the history of United States coinage. Introduced to address problems with the small diameter of the earlier Type 1 design, the Type 2 featured a larger size and an elegant redesign. However, the coin proved difficult to strike sharply, resulting in numerous examples showing weak details. The production run lasted only from 1854 to 1856, making any well-preserved example a desirable piece for collectors.

This example has been graded AU58 by Numismatic Guaranty Company, placing it just below the Mint State threshold. It retains strong original luster and sharp visual appeal with only the slightest trace of wear. The Certified Acceptance Corporation has awarded this coin its coveted green sticker, confirming it meets high standards for quality within the grade.

Designed by James B Longacre, the obverse features Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, an artistic blend of classical beauty and Native American inspiration. Surrounding Liberty are thirteen stars representing the original states of the Union. The reverse displays an agricultural wreath composed of cotton, corn, tobacco, and wheat, encircling the denomination and date. The wreath was symbolic of the country’s agricultural abundance and economic promise.

The Type 2 gold dollar was created in part because the original Type 1 had a very small diameter of only 13 millimeters, which made it easy to lose and difficult to handle. In 1854, the diameter was increased to almost 15 millimeters, and the design was adjusted accordingly. Despite this change, the relief of the Type 2 design was high, and striking problems persisted. Many coins from the series exhibit weakness in the central details, especially on the obverse portrait.

This coin, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1854, comes from the very first year of the Type 2 series. That year’s mintage totaled 783,943 pieces, but far fewer survive in high grades. Most examples either circulated heavily or show significant strike softness. The present coin’s AU58 grade means it has survived with exceptional surfaces and eye appeal, making it a premium choice for collectors of classic U.S. gold.

The gold content of the coin is 0.04837 troy ounces of fine gold, giving it both collectible and intrinsic value. Its historic significance lies in its role as a transitional issue between the more common Type 1 and the refined Type 3 design introduced in 1856. Because the Type 2 was produced for such a short time, it holds a special place in the hearts of numismatists.

Collectors prize AU58 coins because they offer near Mint State beauty without the much higher price tag associated with fully uncirculated examples. The CAC approval on this piece further assures buyers that it represents quality within the grade. Coins like this are ideal for building a type set of U.S. gold dollars or for enhancing a pre-1933 gold collection with an historically important and visually pleasing example.

The 1854 Type 2 Gold Dollar NGC AU58 CAC represents artistry, scarcity, and history in one compact gold coin. With its first-year status, exceptional quality, and CAC endorsement, it stands as a prime addition to any advanced numismatic collection.