BG- 227, 1855 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold 25C, Liberty Round NGC MS65PL R6
SOLD
SKU
3838724003
Finest Known in Prooflike. None Graded PL by PCGS.
Just imagine being in San Francisco during the days of the California Gold Rush. This beautiful gold piece was there. It was made with gold from the California Gold Rush. Reflective, prooflike fields set this piece apart from many other California Fractional Gold coins. NGC has graded 1 as MS65PL with none finer. There is only one other PL example of this variety graded by NGC. Collectors Universe gives this variety a price of $4,500.00 (in MS65, not in PL).
This example was designed and struck by Antoine Louis Nouizillet, a San Francisco jeweler and a leading producer of California Fractional Gold from 1852-1858. The obverse has the obligatory Liberty design that is derivative of the federally issued gold coins of the 1850s. Lady Liberty is surrounded by ten stars. The reverse presents an open wreath with berries, within which is found "1/4 DOLLAR 1855." Overall this piece has a very attractive look.
Advertising for sailing to California to take part in the California Gold Rush, circa 1850. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Rarity-6.
Period One - circulating issues between 1852 and 1856.
Redbook Type: Small Liberty Head / Value and Date in Wreath, 1855-1856
Made by Antoine Louis Nouizillet.
Obverse: 10 stars; 4th star near rim and away from middle of coronet, 7th star near lower loop of bun. No broken nose. 9 coronet beads. On B.G. die state III the 1st, 4th, and 10th stars are repunched and the 4 top coronet beads are blurred.
Reverse: 1-4 DOLLAR 1855 inside wreath. 4 pairs of berries on each branch; a berry touches the top of the D in DOLLAR and there is a berry to the bottom right of the R.
Breen-Gillio states that Die State-1 is rarer than other die states. Our observation is that it is R7- with less than 10 known. Die State-2 is a different variety; refer to BG-226A. Reported in the Brasher Bulletin. Die State-3 has the first 4 beads blurred. Die State-4 has more die cracks.
| PCGS # | 10412 |
|---|---|
| BG Number | 227 |
| Grading Service | NONE |
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | NONE |
| Denom Type | N/A |
| Numeric Denomination | G25C |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Not Specified |
| Strike Type | N/A |
| Holder Variety | BG-227 |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
