1849 G$1 No L Gold Dollar PCGS MS66

A first-year issue and coveted variety, this 1849 G$1 No L Gold Dollar (Philadelphia) is certified PCGS MS66—an elite Gem example of America’s inaugural gold-dollar design. Radiant satiny luster in fresh lemon-gold and honey-amber tones blankets both sides, with razor-sharp devices and unusually clean, frosty fields for the grade. Eye appeal is exceptional, making this a standout for both advanced gold specialists and type collectors seeking a premium representative of the No L variety.

Authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849 and reportedly first struck on May 8, 1849, the Gold Dollar emerged in response to the California Gold Rush and private coinage pressures. James Barton Longacre’s Liberty Head Type 1 design debuted this year; his tiny initial “L” appears on some dies, but not all—creating the “No L” and “With L” varieties. From the standpoint of mintage and auction appearances, this issue ranks as the third rarest gold dollar, and many survivors were preserved at high grade as first-year novelties. The No L variety continues to be a cornerstone for 19th-century U.S. gold collections and Registry ambitions, much like the famed 1909 V.D.B. cent in the copper series.

Key attributes

• Date/Denomination: 1849 Gold Dollar (Type 1 Liberty Head)
• Variety: No L (initial absent on Liberty bust truncation)
• Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
• Certification: PCGS MS66
• Surfaces: Vibrant satiny luster; attractive lemon-gold and honey highlights; sharply struck devices

Rarity and population

• PCGS Population: 9; only 6 graded higher
• Reported mintage: 1,000
• Proofs: N/A
• CAC: None

Why this coin

• First-year-of-issue, historically pivotal piece tied to the California Gold Rush
• Scarce No L variety with top-tier eye appeal in an elite Gem grade
• Ideal for Type 1 Gold Dollar sets, early U.S. gold specialists, and high-ranking Registry pursuits

Specifications

• Designer: James Barton Longacre
• Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
• Diameter: 13 mm
• Weight: 1.672 g
• Edge: Reeded

A rare opportunity to secure a beautifully preserved, first-year No L Gold Dollar in PCGS MS66—combining historical significance, condition rarity, and exceptional visual appeal.