1889 $1 Gold NGC MS68

The 1889 $1 Gold piece represents the final chapter of the U.S. gold dollar series, making it a historically important coin. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in the last year of regular issue production, this coin belongs to the Type 3 design, introduced in 1856 and used until the denomination’s conclusion in 1889. Collectors prize this issue not only for its status as a last-year type but also for the elegant artistry of its design by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre.

On the obverse, the coin features a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a feathered headdress reminiscent of Native American style. The word LIBERTY is inscribed across the headband, and the portrait is encircled by 13 stars representing the original colonies. This distinctively American design set the Type 3 apart from earlier issues and remains a favorite among numismatists.

The reverse displays an open wreath of cotton and corn, symbolizing the agricultural prosperity of the nation. Inside the wreath is the denomination 1 DOLLAR and the date 1889, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounding the design along the rim. The engraving’s balance and proportion make it one of the most graceful reverses in 19th-century U.S. coinage.

The gold dollar was the smallest denomination in U.S. coinage both in physical size and in face value. Measuring only 14.30 millimeters in diameter and weighing 1.70 grams, it is composed of 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper, containing 0.04837 troy ounces of pure gold. This small size made the coins easy to lose in circulation, contributing to their eventual discontinuation.

The 1889 issue had a modest mintage of 28,950 pieces, and most were saved as souvenirs marking the end of the series. While many exist in uncirculated condition, few survive with the remarkable quality seen in this example. Graded MS68 by NGC, this coin ranks among the absolute finest known, approaching perfection in preservation. The surfaces are virtually flawless to the naked eye, with blazing luster and sharp, fully struck details.

Coins at the MS68 level represent a minuscule fraction of survivors, as even the smallest contact marks or hairlines would prevent such a lofty grade. The exceptional preservation suggests careful handling from the moment of minting, likely being stored in a protective environment for well over a century. The luster on this example is vibrant and frosty, enhancing its eye appeal and making it a showpiece in any high-grade U.S. gold collection.

The 1889 $1 Gold coin holds historical significance beyond its condition rarity. It marks the end of an era in U.S. coinage that began in 1849 during the California Gold Rush. By the late 19th century, the tiny denomination had become impractical for commerce, and public demand had shifted to larger, more useful coins. The denomination’s discontinuation in 1889 closed a distinctive chapter in American monetary history.

For advanced collectors, this NGC MS68 example offers the opportunity to own not just a key historical coin but one of the finest survivors of the entire gold dollar series. It would stand out in a type set, a date run of gold dollars, or a registry set competing at the highest levels.

This 1889 $1 Gold NGC MS68 embodies the blend of beauty, history, and rarity that makes numismatics so rewarding. Its remarkable preservation ensures it will remain a highlight in any collection for decades to come, offering both investment potential and a tangible link to the final days of America’s smallest gold coin.