BG- 227, 1855 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold 25C, Liberty Round NGC MS65 R6 - Tied for Finest Known!
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SKU
4907343003
There have been a total of 26 of this Period 1 variety graded by NGC. There are 2 in MS65, with none finer. In Prooflike, NGC has graded one example as MS65PL. PCGS has graded 91 examples of the BG-227 variety, one of which carries the grade of MS65. Therefore this offering from AUCM is tied for Finest Known.
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 popular Liberty head design that was inspired by 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.
Gold miners during the California Gold Rush. This coin was struck using Gold Rush gold. Photo: Wikipedia.
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 |
