BG- 101, 1853 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold 25C, Liberty Octagonal NGC MS63 R5-

We at AUCM are pleased to offer a relic from the California Gold Rush: an 1853 Fractional Gold 25c, BG-101, Liberty Octagon, graded NGC MS63. Minted by Joseph Brothers, this octagonal gold piece features a narrow coronet head and 9 crude stars on the obverse. The reverse presents a beaded circle with 1\4 DOLLAR and 1853 within that circle. A beaded border composed of smaller beads encompasses the reverse at the rim. DOLLAR is spelled out in a concave arc, and the right half of the 8 is weakly struck. The obverse design is meant to mimic the federal coin issues of the early 1850s. This golden remnant of the California Gold Rush would be perfect for the Fractional Gold enthusiast.

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, opening different firms in both San Francisco and British Columbia, Canada. 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.