1860 $5 Mormon MS61 Certification #06652054, PCGS #10268

Ron Guth

The 1860 $5 gold denomination was the last of the gold coins produced by the Mormons, then in the Utah Territory.  The obverse shows the lion of Judah surrounded by a legend in the Mormon alphabet that reads: HOLINESS TO THE LORD."  The reverse shows an eagle with wings spread behind a beehive, the legend "DESERET ASSAY OFFICE PURE GOLD."  The reverse legend was a trfile misleading, as the gold for these coins came from Colorado, and it was less than 24 karat (100% pure). 

The 1860 Mormon $5 had a reported mintage of only 472 pieces.  Naturally, survivors are quite scarce, and it is difficult to locate examples in high grade, especially in Uncirculated condition.  The lowest grades in the PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census are a reasonably high AU55, but the best grade is only a single PCGS MS62.