BG- 522, 1853 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold $1, Liberty Octagonal PCGS AU50 R6+

Here’s an affordable example of quite a rare variety in the extensive circulating California Fractional Gold series. PCGS has graded 2 as AU50 with 15 finer. In total, PCGS has only graded 19 specimens of the BG-522, and the finest is MS62. Collectors Universe gives this variety a price of $2,850.00 in AU50.

The obverse presents the Liberty head facing left, surrounded by 8 stars. The reverse presents 1 DOLLAR 1853 within a beaded circle. There is a wide '53' in the date. Around the beaded circle at the rim is CALIFORNIA GOLD - DERI. 'DERI' is short for M. Deriberpie, a private engraver who had a shop at 58 Kearny Street in San Francisco. Heritage writes this is "The only collectible variety from Breen's obverse 7, since BG-521 is R.8."

Gold miners during the California Gold Rush. This piece was struck with gold from the Gold Rush. Photo: Wikipedia.