1859 Proof

The 1859 proof gold dollar was struck as part of the Philadelphia Mint's annual proof offerings. Estimated proof mintage for 1859 is 80 to 100 coins, a modest increase reflecting the growing collector market for proof coinage. The Civil War was a year away, and 1859 proof gold dollars were acquired by collectors who had no idea that gold coins would soon vanish from circulation. Each surviving proof represents a purchase made during the final peaceful year of the antebellum era.

Proof gold dollars of this vintage occasionally surface at major auctions. Quality varies: some show decades of careful preservation, while others bear the marks of cleaning or improper storage. Certification helps establish grade and authenticity, and the proof premium over business strikes is substantial at every level.