BG- 435, 1853 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold 50C, Round 'Arms of California,' NGC MS62 R5-

The obverse offers the "Arms of California": a seated Columbia (dressed as Minerva) holding shield and spear, with a grizzly bear eating grapes at her feet, with mountains and river in the background. That motif is within a circle, around which are 13 stars with '1853' centered below. The design is a bit simplistic, with the 'grizzly bear' appearing more like a Chihuahua! The reverse presents a miniature version of the Humbert eagle design from the octagonal $50 gold ingots issued by the U.S. Assay Office in San Francisco in 1851-52. The motif includes an eagle, banner, and shield. That design is surrounded by "CALIFORNIA GOLD -- HALF DOLLAR." Again, this design is also crude, for it looks like the eagle is dancing. We don't know who crafted this famous issue, but Breen and Gillio suggest Braverman & Levy. Totheroh suggests Joseph Brothers (J.B. & L.B.), 175 Clay St. etc. If you want a unique specimen of California Fractional Gold for your collection, then this may be the coin for you!