1849 Dollar Value: Mint Varieties, Rarity, and Current Prices

Price Guide for 1849 Dollar Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1849 Dollar variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.

1849 Dollar (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $2.90 - $24,000.00

  Uncirculated: $15.00 - $41,400.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $20.25 - $1,750.00

  Uncirculated: $187.50 - $4,659.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $350.00 - $3,000.00

  Uncirculated: $3,500.00 - $225,000.00

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1849 Dollar (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $13,800.00

  Uncirculated: $140.00 - $230,000.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $15,000.00

  Uncirculated: $45,000.00 - $245,000.00

More Detail

Design and Specifications of the 1849 Dollar

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

Condition plays a crucial role in determining the value of 1849 Seated Liberty Dollars. Due to their age and limited mintage, high-grade examples are extremely scarce and highly sought after by collectors.

Coins in Uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) are particularly valuable, with premiums increasing significantly for grades MS63 and higher. Even in circulated grades, well-preserved examples with clear design details and minimal wear can command substantial premiums.

The presence of original luster and absence of significant contact marks or scratches greatly enhance the coin's desirability and value. Toning, if attractive and natural, can also positively impact the coin's appeal to collectors.

Historical significance plays a major role in the value of 1849 Seated Liberty Dollars. As the first year of issue after a long hiatus and coinciding with the California Gold Rush, these coins hold special appeal for collectors and historians alike.

The low mintages, particularly for the New Orleans issue, contribute significantly to their rarity and value. The survival rate for these coins is relatively low, especially in higher grades, further increasing their desirability.

Strike quality can vary, with well-struck examples commanding premiums. The New Orleans mintage is often found with weaker strikes, making sharp, well-defined specimens particularly valuable.

As with many 19th-century coins, provenance can add substantial value. Coins with a documented history of ownership, especially if linked to notable collections or historical figures, can see significant increases in value.