BG- 854, 1876 California Fractional Gold 25C, Liberty Round NGC MS66 PL - TIED FINEST

Here is a beautiful tiny treasure from the popular California Fractional Gold series. This piece is tied for Finest Known. NGC has graded three as MS66 Proof Like with none finer. Collectors Universe gives this variety a price of $2,500.00 in MS66. In total there have been ten examples graded Proof Like by NGC and eleven graded mint state by NGC.

The Redbook type is the “Baby Head” Liberty, made by German-American Herman J. Brand (1837-1914) of San Francisco. The obverse features the small Liberty head surrounded by 13 stars. This variety is R5. This round 25c gold piece was produced during Period 2 (1859-1882) of the extensive California Fractional Gold series. The reverse presents a wreath with berries. Within the wreath is found ‘1/4 DOLLAR CAL.’ This piece has a dramatic look, with its frosty devices and deep, mirrorlike fields. 

San Francisco in 1876, the year this piece was struck. View of Clay Street showing the wire railroad. Image: Wikipedia.

In addition to being a jeweler, Brand was also an artist-sculptor and member of the San Francisco Art Association. He had an exhibition of his artwork at the Mark Hopkins Art Institute (San Francisco) in April of 1906. It must have been early that month, for the massive earthquake of April 18 destroyed much of the City by the Bay.