1889 Gold Dollar : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The circulating Gold Greenback took its ultimate bow in 1889 with the manufacturing of 28,950 cash on the Philadelphia Mint. This complete is within the higher half of annual emissions for the Sort 3 design, which entered manufacturing in 1856. Plentiful in Gem Uncirculated, the coin was hoarded as a result of its discontinuation.

As for why the Gold Greenback ceased to be, we notice that the United States Assay Fee met on February 13, and, after conducting the annual assay, wrote a report proposing that Congress introduce laws to get rid of the Gold Greenback, Three-Greenback Gold coin, and Three-Cent Nickel, citing their lack of utility in circulation and the continuing hypothesis in these low-mintage points.

* * *

1889 Gold Greenback Market Knowledge and Noteworthy Specimens

The PCGS MS68 inhabitants for the 1889 Gold Greenback has elevated from six with none finer at first of 2018, to 10 with none finer in Might 2019, to 14 with one finer as of November 1, 2024. The only PCGS MS68+ coin graded was upgraded from NGC MS68.

Prime Inhabitants: PCGS MS68+ (1, 11/2024), NGC MS68+ (1, 11/2024), and CAC MS68 (4:0 stickered:graded, 11/2024).

• PCGS MS68+ #32601847: As NGC MS68 #3603614-002. Heritage Auctions, December 5, 2013, Lot 3789 – $7,637.50. As PCGS MS68+ #32601847. Crossed to PCGS, the place the coin upgraded by one-half level.. First MS68+ graded. Copper spots at 12 o’clock, and 1 o’clock. On the reverse, diagonal spot above D of DOLLAR. Diagonal spot bellow ribbon. Round die crack alongside the periphery.
• PCGS MS68 #25218169: Stack’s Bowers, March 2015, Lot 7331 – $8,518.75; Heritage Auctions, January 31, 2019, Lot 3772 – $6,600; Heritage Auctions, June 6, 2019, Lot 3189 – $6,614.40; Heritage Auctions, November 17, 2023, Lot 3641 – $6,900. Discolorations close to copper spots beneath UN and T of UNITED. Planchet void between T and E of STATES. On the reverse, there are die conflict photos seen contained in the wreath. Two contact marks on the fitting facet of the house between the 2 descending ribbons. Round die crack alongside the periphery.
• PCGS MS68 #41713014: Heritage Auctions, November 16, 2023, Lot 3118 – $8,400. On the reverse, there are two tiny ticks above 1. Diagonal hairline scratch above O. Tick beneath D.
• NGC MS68 #447908-008: Heritage Auctions, February 9, 2023, Lot 3226 – $7,200. Carbon spot at neck.
• PCGS MS68 CAC #25332847: “The Bender Household Assortment, Half I,” Heritage Auctions, August 24, 2022, Lot 3855 – $10,500. Bender Assortment on insert.
• PCGS MS68 #42813617: Heritage Auctions, December 16, 2021, Lot 3169 – $6,025. Massive carbon spot within the left obverse area beneath T. On the reverse, carbon spot on the higher left leaf. One other one at 7 o’clock.
• NGC MS68 #6060389-002: Heritage Auctions, July 14, 2021, Lot 3343 – $6,300. Tick the left obverse area beneath I. On the reverse, some chuff to the fitting of 1 and a tick beneath 1.
• PCGS MS68 #40323376: David Akers. As PCGS MS67+ CAC #25539972. “The Duckor Household Assortment of Gold {Dollars},” Heritage Auctions, August 2015, Lot 4290. As PCGS MS68 #40323376. Heritage Auctions, September 17, 2020, Lot 10120 – $6,900. Simpson novelty insert. Upgraded by one-half level. Carbon spot on reverse at 7 o’clock. Die crack alongside the periphery.
• PCGS MS68 #38674299: Stack’s Bowers, Might 20, 2020, Lot 4142 – $6,900.
• NGC MS68 #3414551-002: Heritage Auctions, September 5, 2019, Lot 3924 – $5,280; Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2020, Lot 5147 – $6,900. DDR. VP-001. Cluster of ticks above DO of DOLLAR. Die crack alongside the periphery.
• NGC MS68 #4239973-001: Stack’s Bowers, March 22, 2018, Lot 2252 – $6,900. On the obverse, scattered copper spots all through: to the left of U, touching D, on F. Horizontal streaks throughout face. On the reverse, purple copper spot above wreath, touching the underside of 9. Die crack alongside the periphery.
• NGC MS68 #3814934-001: As NGC MS68 #115864-004. Heritage Auctions, January 2007, Lot 5359; Heritage Auctions, August 10, 2007, Lot 2821 – $8,050; “The Soluna Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, January 6, 2017, Lot 6566 – $7,637.50. As NGC MS68 #3814934-001. Heritage Auctions, June 8, 2017, Lot 3799 – $8,518.75. Darkish carbon spot at E of AMERICA. Die crack alongside the periphery
• PCGS MS68 #25614662: Stack’s Bowers, Might 25, 2016, Lot 62 – $7,050.
• PCGS MS68 #25649487: Heritage Auctions, February 4, 2016, Lot 3344 – $7,931.25. Scattered spots on obverse, one outstanding one beneath E of AMERICA.
• NGC MS68 #3815984-004: Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2016, Lot 6352 – $7,637.50. On the reverse, a vibrant orange copper spot touches the highest of the second L of DOLLAR and one other touches the denticles at 5 o’clock. Die crack alongside periphery.
• NGC MS68 #25233705: Heritage Auctions, August 14, 2015, Lot 6030 – $8,225.
• PCGS MS68 #25256332: Heritage Auctions, November 6, 2014, Lot 3903 – $7,931.25. Squiggly lint mark within the left obverse area beneath E.
• NGC MS68 #1858073-001: Heritage Auctions, August 9, 2013, Lot 4962 – $8,107.50.
• NGC MS68 CAC #3166287-002: Heritage Auctions, April 28, 2011, Lot 5318 – $10,350.
• NGC MS68 #449860-002: “The JTR Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, March 26, 2010, Lot 2042 – $8,625.
• NGC MS68 #958912-002: Heritage Auctions, February 6, 2009, Lot 2391 – $8,625; “The Longfellow Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, February 5, 2010, Lot 1447 – $8,625. Gentle pitting on the obverse above I, beneath TE of UNITED, and between D and S of STATES, between T and E of STATES. On the reverse, copper spot on the left facet of the highest of the wreath. Die crack alongside the decrease periphery.
• NGC MS68PL #1827645-001: Heritage Auctions, January 2005, Lot 8504; Heritage Auctions, Might 6, 2005, Lot 8413 – $7,187,50; “The Wisconsin Gold Sort Set Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, August 1, 2009, Lot 2308 – $10,925.
• NGC MS68: Stack’s, August 11, 2006, Lot 1177 – Passed; Stack’s, January 2, 2007, Lot 1138 – Passed. Discoloration alongside the obverse. On the reverse, copper spot at 9 o’clock. Round die crack alongside the periphery.
• NGC MS68: American Numismatic Rarities, June 21, 2006, Lot 2438 – $9,200.
• PCGS MS68 #50089929: Heritage Auctions, Might 7, 2004, Lot 9063 – $9,775. First PCGS MS68 licensed. Prime pop, pop one when provided. Copper-colored firming on the obverse beneath T of UNITED, the left of Liberty’s brow, and E of AMERICA. On the reverse, copper spot practically touches the fitting ribbon.

* * *

Design

Obverse:

The obverse of the 1889 Sort III Indian Head Gold Greenback shows a bust of Woman Liberty as an anglicized Native American. Her lengthy flowing hair covers the highest of the ears and drops right down to the nape of the neck. Her headdress has seven giant feathers standing vertically; it is very important notice that this headdress doesn’t characterize any life like Native American clothes. On the band of the headdress is the legend LIBERTY. The nation title UNITED STATES OF AMERICA rings the bust. On this design, the pinnacle of Woman Liberty was made barely bigger and in barely decrease aid than the Sort II design.

Reverse:

The reverse is centered on the date 1889 and denomination 1 DOLLAR. The agricultural wreath used to encircle the date and denomination was additionally utilized by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre on the Flying Eagle Cent and the Three-Greenback Gold piece. The wreath, an allegory for American agriculture, is comprised of cotton, corn, tobacco, and wheat. A ribbon ties the wreath collectively on the backside.

Edge:

The sting of the 1889 Gold Greenback is reeded, a standard anti-counterfeiting tactic.

Designer

James Barton Longacre (1794-1869) was one of the crucial well-known US engravers and medallic artists of the nineteenth century. Longacre was appointed the fourth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint by President John Tyler after Christian Gobrecht died in 1844. Earlier than his appointment, Longacre labored for the Philadelphia engraving firm Murray, Draper, Fairman & Co. till he started working for himself in 1819. As an impartial engraver, Longacre produced a collection of well-known plates that featured the Founding Fathers, President Andrew Jackson, and Senator John C. Calhoun. As soon as he turned Chief Engraver on the Mint, he produced such well-known items because the Flying Eagle Cent, the Indian Head Cent, the Protect Nickel, and the Coronet Head Double Eagle $20 gold coin.

1889 Gold Greenback Coin Specs

* * *