This uncommonly well produced Dahlonega Mint gold coin has bold to sharp striking detail to virtually all features. Just a touch of softness is noted for the central obverse high point and toward the left reverse border. Iridescent reddish-rose peripheral highlights further enliven vivid golden yellow surfaces. Lustrous with a vibrant satin texture, the surfaces are smooth overall for both the issue and the assigned grade.The nature of the gold coins struck at the Dahlonega Mint have long charmed numismatists. The somewhat uneven and soft strikes combined with visible die flaws reveal a mint busy trying to perfect its craft and not always succeeding. The mintage figure of 6,583 gold dollars produced at the Georgia facility in 1853 is tiny compared to the over four million gold dollars struck at Philadelphia the same year. As with most Southern gold from the era, the coins entered service immediately and remained there, often leading a rough life. As a consequence, most known specimens are in circulated grades. The 1853-D dollar has long been recognized as an important condition rarity. Bowers estimates that 25 to 35 Mint State examples exist for the issue, almost all of which are at the lowest end of the scale. The population figures likely include resubmissions, somewhat masking the overall rarity. Even among these few coins, finding an example with a sharp strike and excellent surfaces is especially challenging. Here is a seldom-encountered opportunity for the dedicated Southern gold specialist.,,PCGS# 7523. NGC ID: 25BW.,PCGS Population: 5; 8 finer (MS-65 finest).,
