BG- 912, 1871 California Fractional Gold 50C, Liberty Octagonal NGC MS63 R3

Here’s a beautiful, small treasure from Old California struck by Frontier and Company, one of the leading producers of California Fractional Gold. Frontier and Company had their establishment at 137 Pine Street in San Francisco. Previously they purchased the jewelry firm of the Joseph Brothers, the acknowledged pioneers of the development and production of California Fractional Gold coinage. NGC has graded 16 specimens as MS63 with 16 finer. Collectors Universe prices this variety at $425.00 in MS63.

Historic View of Montgomery and Pine Streets in Old San Francisco in the late 1860s. Frontier and Company’s shop is in this photo. Photo: Library of Congress.

This specimen is from Period Two: Jeweler’s issues struck between 1859 and 1882. It is the Redbook Type Large Liberty Head / Value and Date in Wreath, Period 2. The obverse presents the Large Liberty head and eight 5-pointed stars. 1st star to middle left of neck, 3rd star at top of forehead. The reverse displays 1 2 DOLLAR 1871 within a wreath (there is no fraction bar). A berry is found at the lower left of D.  The R touches the right branch. Same as BG-810 & BG-811. EML 30; Burnie 51; Lee 22A; Doering 240.

Die State-1: Slight reverse rim crumbling at 6:30.

Die State-2: Heavy reverse “cud” rim break 6:00 - 7:00.