Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861

I certainly didn't intend to go a full decade between revisions of this book. Due to an unexpected late career renaissance, my free time since 2013 has been minimal. But the desire to update this book in the style of Gold Coins of the New Orleans mint (published in 2018 and updated in 2020 and the first coin book I've written that I was truly proud to show to clients) was a strong motivating factor, as was my sale of the Auraria Collection of Dahlonega coinage in 2021/2022.

2023 finds the Dahlonega market stronger than at any point in the 21st century. I attribute this to the release of the Fairmont Hoard beginning in 2018, which introduced numerous 100% natural Dahlonega half eagles into the retail coin market, and to the advent of CAC which helped quantify condition and appearance rarity. For the first time in decades, collectors were able to acquire outstanding quality coins at a variety of price points and it helped prices, which had languished since the late 1990s, increase significantly. Collectors told dealers loudly and in unison that they were tired of stripped-n-dipped garbage and that they would pay significant premiums for nice, unmessed-with coins.

This book has reminded me just how special and just how rare great quality Dahlonega coins are. As you skim the pages, you will see detailed lists of the finest coins for each issue which I am aware of. For a number of these issues, there have been two, one, or even zero new Condition Census examples sold at auction or via private treaty in a decade or more. But don't think I get my numismatic jollies just from MS63 D mint half eagles! This robust new market has made me more appreciative of nice VF25 D-mint half eagles as well.

In the last few years, we have seen the first $500,000+ Dahlonega coin, the finest known 1854-D Three which sold at auction in 2022, and I am virtually certain that this record will be broken in the near future. Will we see a $1,000,000 Dahlonega coin in the coming years? Until recently, I would have said "no way," but with recent auction sales of more than $1 million dollars for issues such as 1870-CC eagles and double eagles, and an 1875-P eagle, I now say "never say never."

Of all the branch mint gold issues, I have always had a special affection for Dahlonega coins and I hope this book will convey my unbridled enthusiasm for these historic issues.