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

Here’s a reasonably priced specimen of a rare variety in the vast circulating California Fractional Gold series. Plus it is a tangible artifact of the California Gold Rush. PCGS has graded 2 as AU50 with 16 finer. In total, PCGS has graded just 20 specimens of the BG-522, and the finest is MS62. Collectors Universe prices this variety at $2,850.00 in AU50.

The obverse presents the Liberty head facing left, surrounded by 8 stars. Note the dramatic die crack emanating from Liberty’s hair to the rim in the right field. The reverse presents ‘1 DOLLAR 1853’ contained 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."

Forty-niner panning for gold. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.