There are just four confirmed examples of the 1849-C Open Wreath

Bids on rare Open Wreath coin rest at $195.5k

The 1849-C has few peers in US coinage. Today, saleroom bidders will decide its value...

Online bidding has now closed on the near-mythic 1849-C Open Wreath gold dollar being sold at Heritage Auction Galleries.

After days of internet bids, its value currently rests at $195,500, including buyer's premium.

The coin will be featured in the third session of Heritage's Rare Coins auction, beginning at 6pm today (Friday, February 5), Californian time.

The 1849-C's sale value has yet to reflect its rarity - will today's auction change that?

There are thought to be just four confirmed examples of the 1849-C Open Wreath gold dollar (although a fifth piece is rumoured).

Equivalent examples include the 1797 Heraldic Eagle half eagles with 16 stars on their obverse, each unique to the Smithsonian Institution, or the 1854-S half eagle of which just three are known.

Nevertheless, this exceptional and rare numismatic piece has yet to command the high values of these coins.

The highest sale price for an 1849-C Open Wreath currently stands at $690,000.

The saleroom bids later today will determine whether this coin exceeds $690,000 - or possibly rise even higher into the 'valuable coins big league'.

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Image: Heritage