Pre-Long Beach Auction #84

1905 Lewis and Clark Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Well struck with rich honey-golden patina on both sides. Only 10,041 pieces were minted of which this is certainly among the most attractive. Due to the promotional mischief by Farran Zerbe relating to the 1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition gold dollars and the consequent market bust, collectors took a dim view of the subsequent Lewis and Clark gold dollars, as here, issued in Portland Oregon, with dates of 1904 and 1905. Those that were sold mainly went to the public and were not well cared for. Today the 1904 and 1905 Lewis and Clark dollars are several times scarcer in Mint State grades than are the other pairs of commemorative gold dollars -- the 1903 Louisiana Purchase, the 1916 and 1917 McKinley, and the 1922 Grant varieties. Pop 243; 79 finer (PCGS # 7448) .
Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500.