BG- 204, c.1853 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold 25C, Liberty Round PCGS MS63 R5

We at AUCM are delighted to present a classic relic of the California Gold Rush: an 1853 Fractional Gold 25c, BG-204, Liberty Round, graded PCGS MS63. Minted by Joseph Brothers of San Francisco. This round gold piece features a coronet head and 12 stars on the obverse. The 1st star touches the point of the bust, while the 8th star touches the top of the bun of hair on Liberty. Die crack through 7th star to hair. Also die crack from rim to 7th star to head. 7th star is double punched. Reverse has 1/4 DOLL. in wreath. There is a star above the '1.' The obverse design is meant to imitate the national coin issues of the early 1850s. This golden vestige of the California Gold Rush would be perfect for the Fractional Gold aficionado.

The Joseph Brothers emerged in numismatic history as pioneers of California Fractional Gold. They were third generation British Jews who arrived in America during the Gold Rush. The two older brothers returned to England in the late 1860s, while Nathan Joseph remained a lifelong resident of San Francisco. Nathan was born the seventh of fourteen children in Liverpool, England. He is best known for having minted early Period 1 California Fractional Gold coins. Nathan was what we call a colorful character. He was struck by automobiles twice and survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. He also survived two fires at his Old Curiosity Shop, another one at his property on Stockton Street, and was the victim of at least four burglaries at his establishments. He sold a mélange of items that included anthropological relics, natural history artifacts, razor blades, coins, gold, costumes, musical instruments, stereopticon and magic lantern slides, curios, medals, badges and decorations.