1851 $50 California Gold Quintuple Eagle - Augustus Humbert 880 Thous. RE NGC XF45 (CAC)

As described by Heritage Auctions when sold in 2009:

1851 $50 RE Humbert Fifty Dollar, Reeded Edge, 880 Thous., XF45 NGC. CAC. K-5, Low R.5. The Humbert fifty dollar gold pieces of 1851 were issued in both Lettered Edge and, later, Reeded Edge varieties. The Reeded Edge varieties eliminated many of the cumbersome manual labor steps required to physically and individually edge-letter eight-sided coins, a process that resulted in many curious errors, transpositions, and inversions. The edge-reeding also cut down on the inclination for ne'er-do-wells to shave the edges in order to keep a bit of bullion.

This piece still retains considerable original mint luster intact, with typical brownish-gold coloration and a couple of the rim bumps often seen on these large, soft, and heavy gold pieces. Listed on page 397 of the 2022 Guide Book. Census: 17 in 45, 64 finer. CAC: 5 in XF45, 13 finer (11/21).

Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2009), lot 4222 @ $25,300.