1903 Louisiana Purchase Jefferson Commemorative $1 MS60

This was the first commemorative gold coin issued by the US Mint. Struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, the coin weighs 1.7 grams.

The Louisiana Purchase was of monumental importance in the history of the United States. To commemorate the centennial of its annexation, Congress authorized plan for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition to be held in St. Louis, and legislation was passed authorizing a gold dollar to mark the occasion.

Although mintage was 250,000 gold dollars (of the Jefferson and McKinley versions), only about 17,500 were sold and the remaining coins were melted down in 1914.

It is estimated that less than 10,000 survive.

This coin is graded MS-60 by ANACS, and it has been noted that the coin has been cleaned at some point. This does not detract from the value overly.