BG- 530, 1853 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold $1, Liberty Round NGC MS63 R3

1853 Gold $1 Liberty Head Octagonal, initial N is on reverse. Rarity-3.

• Period One - circulating issues between 1852 and 1856.
• Redbook Type: Octagonal Dollar - Liberty Head / Value & Date in Beaded Circle.
• RedBook Collectors Sequence: RB-051
• Made by Antoine Louis Nouizillet, 1852-1854.

Obverse: 13 stars divided 6 to left, 7 to right; 7th star above the point where the diadem meets the top of the hair.

Reverse:  **CALIFORNIA *GOLD** N. outside of circle of dots. 1 DOLLAR 1853 inside of circle. Same as BG-530.

Historical Note: Fifteen examples were recovered by divers from the S.S. Winfield Scott shipwreck. The S.S. Winfield Scott was operated by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company to carry passengers and cargo between San Francisco and Panama.  On December 1, 1853, she left San Francisco bound for Panama with about 400 passengers and $884,861.50 in treasure.  Two days out she was caught in a storm and ran aground 30 miles west of Santa Barbara.  The passengers and most of the treasure were rescued.  What remained were mainly items of small value abandoned by the passengers in their haste to evacuate the sinking ship.

Also, we have been informed that one example was recovered and certified by PCGS from the S.S. Central America shipwreck as well.