D Mint Mark May Stand for Desirable
Question: I have a Denver-minted $1 gold piece, 1849, in excellent condition. I would like to know what I could expect monetarily for this coin.--H.B.S.
Answer: Your 1849-D gold $1 was not minted in Denver at all. The D stands for Dahlonega, which was a branch mint that operated from 1838 to 1861 and was limited to only gold coins. Dahlonega is in Georgia and the coins reflect the gold mining that was conducted in that area during the last century.
Dahlonega gold pieces are highly desirable, and some collectors attempt to assemble complete sets--no easy task. Also, most Dahlonega pieces are of relatively low mintage. Your 1849-D, for example, is one of only 21,588 and is also the first year of issue for the $1 Liberty head gold type, which ran until 1854.
There’s no way of pricing your coin accurately without a close inspection. It could be worth as little as $200 or $1,000 and up, depending upon condition.
Q: I have an 1815 quarter and a 1900 dime, both in good condition. What are they worth?--H.B.
A: Your Capped Bust quarter of 1815, the first year of issue, is worth $75 and up. The Barber dime is 50 cents and up.
Q: I have a 1986 silver dollar that was given to me. It has the Statue of Liberty on it. Please publish its value.--E.L.H.
A: Proof and uncirculated versions of this coin were issued. Uncirculated versions are worth about $20; proof, $22.
Q: I have some German coins (1935-39). They are 3 and 5 Reichsmarks. What I would like to know is: What are the words on the edge of the coins? I would also like to know if Germany made coins after 1939.--J.E.
A: Yes, Germany did make coins after 1939. And I don’t know what the words are on the edge of your coins. You’ll have to have them translated.
Coin News
Collectors of presidential memorabilia will be interested in two medals designed by Frank Gasparro, former chief engraver of the U.S. Mint. The medals of 1988 candidates George Bush and Michael S. Dukakis (pictured) are limited to 1,000 each in 1-ounce silver proof editions. The dies will be destroyed after the medals have been struck. Medals are $29.95 each or $55 a pair plus $2 handling from Bowers & Merena Galleries, Box 1224, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894; telephone (800) 222-5993.
Two overlapping auctions are being conducted by California companies in Hong Kong early next month. The Hong Kong Auction by Pacific Coast Auction Galleries will be held Sept. 1 and 2 at the Regent Hotel, with more than 1,000 coins for sale. Mail-order bids are accepted. For catalogue information, contact Pacific Coast Auction Galleries, 1013 State St., Santa Barbara, Calif. 93101; telephone (800) 235-6937 or (805) 235-6937.
The Hong Kong International Coin Exposition auction will be Sept. 2-4 at the Golden Mile Holiday Inn, Kowloon, with more than 1,300 coins on the block. Catalogues are available for $10 from the Money Co., 5959 Tampa Ave., Tarzana, Calif. 91356, telephone (818) 609-7666.
More auction news: The estates of Philip M. Mann Jr. and Glenn B. Smedley will be sold Sept. 13 and 14 in New York. Highlights include the second-finest known 1796 large cent and one of the finest known 1895 $1. Catalogues are $15 from Auctions by Bowers & Merena, Box 1224, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894.
Confederate Civil War bonds once worth $60 million have been purchased by a Dallas firm that will market them for Civil War buffs and the like. More than 80,000 of these bonds were purchased at auction in London. The hoard has been controlled by trustees in the United Kingdom since 1880. Trading in the bonds was active during the war, but the Union would not honor them following the Confederate defeat. Efforts to redeem the bonds were unsuccessful for several decades and eventually they were largely forgotten. For information, contact Heritage Galleries, 311 Market St., Dallas, Tex. 75202-9990; telephone (800) 872-6467.
New Releases
“The Millennium of Russian Christianity,” a medal struck by the Leningrad Mint and featuring the head of Christ sculpted by the Soviet artist Posto, is available from American Bullion and Coin of Malibu. The commemorative has a mintage of 1,000. For information, contact American Bullion at P.O. Box 283, Topanga, Calif. 90290; telephone (213) 455-3389.
Two medals, one celebrating the Ancient Order of the Thistle and the other the Bishop Morgan Bible, are available from the British Royal Mint. The Order of the Thistle is marking its 300th anniversary, while Morgan’s translation of the Bible into Welsh is marking its 400th anniversary. The Thistle medal is $125 in silver, $59 in bronze. The Bishop Morgan medal is $130 in silver, $59 in bronze. Order from the British Royal Mint, c/o Barclays Bank of New York, P.O. Box 2570, New York, N.Y. 10164-1060; telephone (800) 221-1215.