1857-Da

Dahlonega produced 3,533 gold dollars in 1857, a modest increase from the 1,460-coin output of 1856 but still a very small production run. The Georgia mint continued its pattern of minimal output, processing whatever local bullion arrived at the facility. The 1857-D shows the standard Dahlonega production characteristics: soft strike with weak central detail, olive-toned gold from impure local metal, and slightly rough surfaces.

PCGS estimates roughly 50 to 75 coins survive across all grades. Most fall in the Fine to Very Fine range. Extremely Fine examples are scarce, and Uncirculated coins are rare enough to generate significant bidding when they appear. An NGC AU58 brought $11,163 at Heritage in November 2014. The 1857-D is a challenging date for collectors building complete sets of Dahlonega gold, positioned between the extreme rarity of the 1856-D and the slightly more available later dates.

The "D" mintmark on the reverse identifies Dahlonega production. Collectors should verify that any 1857-D offered at a premium carries PCGS or NGC certification, as the values involved and the coin's small size make authentication essential.