An 1849-C open wreath gold dollar is to cross the block at Heritage Auctions.

Bidding on the coin stands at $525,000 ahead of the August 16 sale in Chicago.

The 1849-C gold dollar could set a new world record on August 16

The issue, minted in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the rarest gold dollar in the US and is among the nation's scarcest standard issue gold coins.  

Its last appearance at auction was in the high-profile sale of the Richmond Collection in 2004.

Heritage comments: "The lot realized a record price for any gold dollar of $690,000.

"As the finest-known example of this classic gold rarity, with outstanding eye appeal and intense historic interest to match its technical quality, we would not be surprised to see it set another record when this lot crosses the block."

Other lots in the sale include an 1855 Wass Moliter $20 large head that displays a unique die variant.

It's offered with a reserve of $450,000.

Heritage says: "The present coin is the finest-certified example, and probably challenges the Smithsonian coin for finest-known honors among the Wass, Molitor & Co. Large Head twenty dollar pieces.

"Of course, it is absolutely the finest-known specimen of this newly discovered variety, as it is believed to be unique."

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