The last time we discussed gold, we unraveled the brief history of the Charlotte Mint. A southern gold rush appeared within the United States in North Carolina dating back to the mid to late-1830s. As a result, branch Mints were created to handle the production of gold coins which included Charlotte and a branch Mint called Dahlonega. While the Dahlonega Mint’s lifespan lasted only a short time like Charlotte’s, its impact was long-lasting to the numismatic community all these years later. Just like Charlotte, Dahlonega gold is highly sought after by collectors.
The Dahlonega Mint In Production (1838-1861)
Located in Georgia, the Dahlonega Mint was established around the same time that New Orleans and Charlotte Mint were due to President Andrew Jackson signing into law The Mint Act of 1835. While New Orleans was created to produce both gold and silver coins, the Mints at Charlotte and Dahlonega were created to produce gold only to aid in what some called the Georgia Gold Rush. Dahlonega was to help in turning gold ore into coins, ingots, and bars for the United States. Charlotte and Dahlonega are referred to as “sister Mints” by some due to their similar creation and history.
While some may get confused with the vintage gold having a “D” mintmark due to there also being a Denver Mint, the distinction is quite easy to navigate as the Denver Mint was not in operation until 1911. Another easy way to distinguish them is that Dahlonega ONLY made gold coins and nothing else throughout its entire operation from 1838-1861.
The facility at Dahlonega was built in 1837 and production officially began in April of 1838 with Superintendent Joseph Singleton at the helm. He oversaw the first striking of gold coins at the branch as $5 Gold Half Eagles were produced with the “D” mintmark on the reverse. The mint continued striking coins that included Coronet Gold Half Eagles, Gold Dollars, $2.5 Quarter Eagles, and $3 Indian Princess Gold Coins.
The Beginning Of the End of Dahlonega
Much like the demise of Charlotte, the American Civil War took its toll on the mint at Dahlonega. In 1861, the Mint was taken over by the Confederacy as they continued to produce gold coins until the bullion ran out. All gold coins from Dahlonega are rare and highly sought after by collectors. During operation, the Mint produced over one million coins that are valued at over $6 million.
After the war ended, the Mint never continued their production and the building was abandoned for years afterward. North Georgia College then took over the building and it was used for space on campus in 1873. After a fire took hold and burned it down in December of 1878, the university built a new building on top of the original foundation of the Dahlonega Mint. It is still being used today.
Source: USA Coinbook