Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1866-1907
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Weight: 8.36 grams (129.01 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Proof Mintage: 2,938

Up until about 1880, production was typically quite low, with most dates having an original mintage of anywhere from 20 to 35 pieces. Starting in 1880, mintages steadily climbed and by the 1890s, production was regularly between 75 and 100 pieces annually. By 1900, the 200 mark had been reached, and most dates through the end of production in 1907 had mintages in the 125-175 coin range.

After 1858, availability improves with most dates through the mid 1870s having survivor estimates in the 10-to-20-coin range. From the late 1870s through about 1890, roughly 25-40 are known of each date and 40 to around 60 are known of most dates in the early 1890s. After about 1896, the number extant rises sharply, and most dates through 1907 can boast of at least 75 to 100 survivors, occasionally more.

Cameos and Deep/Ultra Cameos are fairly plentiful, with that characteristic designated on about 40% of the graded coins by PCGS and just over three quarters of NGC’s coins. After 1902 though, this attribute is less frequently seen, and Deep/Ultra Cameos are almost non-existent.

While no Proof gold can be called “inexpensive”, Choice PR-63 and 64 coins can be acquired in the in the very low five-figure range and Gem PR-65 and 66s can be found in the low to mid-five-figure range. Superb PR-67’s will likely run into mid-to-upper five-figures, but even that is not an outrageous sum for a stunning Gem Proof U.S. gold coin.