1854 California Fractional Gold Liberty Head Octagonal NGC MS-61 BG-529

The BG-529, an octagonal $1 California fractional gold coin from 1854, is a remarkable rarity, distinguished as the finest known example, graded MS61 by NGC and the sole Mint State coin of its variety, with only four known specimens (two graded by PCGS at AU50 and AU58+, and two by NGC at AU58 and MS61). Struck with a single-use die, this coin features a Coronet-Liberty head obverse, surrounded by eight stars, mirroring federal gold coin designs, and a reverse with "CALIFORNIA GOLD" at the top, "DERI" (abbreviating M. Deriberpie) at the bottom, and "1 DOLLAR 1854" within a beaded circle, uniquely marked by two stars between "GOLD" and "DERI." Discovered in September 1980 by Jay Roe (AU50), its extreme scarcity and top-grade status make it a pinnacle for collectors, offered by AUCM and valued for its historical and numismatic significance in the expansive California fractional gold series.

Connection to M. Deriberpie and Frontier & Deviercy

The BG-529 was engraved by M. Deriberpie, a private engraver based at 58 Kearny Street, San Francisco, known for cutting dies for jewelers like Nouzillet & Routhier, who also produced fractional gold coins during the Gold Rush. The abbreviation "DERI" on the reverse explicitly ties this coin to Deriberpie, distinguishing it from coins produced by Frontier & Deviercy, which typically bore “F.D.” initials or simpler Liberty Head designs. While Frontier & Deviercy, active from 1852 to 1856, were prominent in minting fractional gold coins to address the region’s currency shortage, no direct evidence links them to the BG-529. However, their operation in the same San Francisco jeweler network, alongside contemporaries like Nouzillet & Routhier, suggests possible collaboration or shared resources, though the BG-529’s unique die and Deriberpie’s involvement indicate it was likely a distinct commission. The firm’s later evolution into Frontier & Co. (by 1864) and associations with other jewelers further highlight the interconnected nature of these private minting efforts.

Historical Context and Collectible Appeal

The BG-529 reflects the California Gold Rush’s urgent need for small-denomination currency, as the San Francisco Mint’s limited output (e.g., 15,000 $1 coins in 1854) left commerce reliant on private mints and jewelers like Frontier & Deviercy, Deriberpie, and others. These fractional coins, often underweight for their nominal value, saw limited circulation, with many becoming souvenirs or jewelry post-1856, yet their rarity and historical ties make them highly collectible, as seen in the BG-529’s elite status. Housed in collections like the American Numismatic Association’s Edward C. Rochette Money Museum, such coins command significant auction prices, with the BG-529’s MS61 grade amplifying its value.