1854-D Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Winter 1-A, the only known dies. VF-30 (NGC).
This impressive Choice VF example sports uncommonly smooth surfaces for a pre-Civil War era Southern gold coin that saw considerable commercial use. There are no detracting marks, in fact, allowing one's eye to focus on handsome color in a blend of deep honey-gold and warmer pinkish-rose. Peripheral striking softness is typical of the issue, although portions of the denticulation are discernible. The major design elements are boldly outlined, and the overall design is fully appreciable. While most survivors of this issue are well circulated, as here, this piece is far superior to the typical VF 1854-D $3 in numismatic hands. Given that most such pieces are noticeably marked, if not also impaired, the opportunity to acquire this problem free and aesthetically pleasing example should not be overlooked.
PCGS# 7970. NGC ID: 25M4.