1849 $5 California Gold Half Eagle - Norris, Gregg & Norris, Reeded Edge K-3 NGC MS61
SOLD
SKU
1922252004
We don't know how many of the $5 Norris, Gregg & Norris gold pieces were struck, but we do know that not many survive today, and that only 39 were graded by NGC. And from that amount just 9 carry the desirous grade of MS61 with a mere one finer (as of 6/2021). Take a look at the images and you will see a simply beautiful specimen that sparkles with bright yellow-gold coloration. This relic of Americana is the kind of piece that the sophisticated collector of Territorial Gold demands to have in his or her collection. Imagine the years of pleasure ownership of this great rarity, this "bucket-list" specimen, will give you.
Provenance:
- October 2007, Stacks 72nd Anniversary Sale, Lot# 4020. Price Realized: $40,250.
- November 2006, Stacks Archangel Collection Sale, Lot# 1083. Price Realized $34,600.
- August 1982, RARCOA Auction '82, Lot #975. Price Realized $10,000.
1849 $5 California Gold Half Eagle - Norris, Gregg & Norris, Reeded Edge K-3 NGC MS61
It is with great pride that we at AUCM present to the collecting community a true rarity from the heady early days of the California Gold Rush, an 1849 $5 half eagle struck by Norris, Gregg & Norris. Graded by NGC as MS61, this piece is a romantic relic from one of the most exciting times in both U.S. history and numismatic history: the Gold Rush and Territorial Gold coinage. This would be a great specimen to add to a set of Pioneer and Territorial Gold coins. Or it could be a great single piece from that time to add to your collection.
The firm of Norris, Gregg & Norris began in Brooklyn, New York, as an enterprise that specialized in the manufacture of metal pipes, fittings, boilers, and other equipment employed in plumbing and steam-heating of public buildings. However, they relocated to the San Francisco area in 1849, after the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848. Shortly after arriving in California, the concern began producing private gold coinage, beginning in 1849. A brief article in a local newspaper documents that Norris, Gregg & Norris were the first private coiners in the region. The firm minted large numbers of $5 gold pieces in 1849, with assays at the Philadelphia mint informing us that these coins were struck with no alloy compound. Thus the intrinsic value of the Norris, Gregg & Norris coins were quite close to their face value and were therefore well-received by the public. Despite their importance in Gold Rush California, much numismatic history of the period was neglected until the publication of a book by Edgar Adams on the subject in 1913. He writes, "The significance of the initial 'N.G.& N.' is said not to have been understood until the sale of the coins of Augustus Humbert in 1902. Among his effects was found a perfectly Uncirculated gold piece of this variety, wrapped in a sheet of paper bearing the words, 'From my friends, Norris, Gregg & Norris.' "
| PCGS # | 10282 |
|---|---|
| Grading Service | NONE |
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | NONE |
| Denom Type | N/A |
| Numeric Denomination | $5 |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Not Specified |
| Strike Type | N/A |
| Holder Variety | Norris, Gregg & Norris |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
