BG- 422, 1853 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold 50C, Liberty Round NGC MS62 R6+

Here’s an important variety to include in your collection. It is from Period One (1852 to 1856) of circulating issues of California Fractional Gold.  This dramatic piece is quite rare, for NGC has graded only 3 of them. Of those, there is one in MS62 with none finer. PCGS has graded only 16 examples of the BG-422 variety. Of those, there are 4 in MS62 with just 4 finer. The finest at PCGS is MS64. Collectors Universe gives this variety a price of $5,750.00 in MS62.

Redbook Type: Liberty Head initial D / Date in Wreath, HALF D, 1853-1854

The 'D' under the Liberty head is the mintmark for M. Deriberpie, a private engraver who had a shop at 58 Kearny Street in San Francisco.  Deriberpie was also a business partner of Antoine Louis Nouizillet, a San Francisco-based jeweler.  The obverse presents 11 stars. The 1st star is near and to the left of point of bust. The 8th star above and nearly touching upper bun roll. The ‘D’ below the bust with dot in it. Same as BG-421. The reverse has ‘CALIFORNIA GOLD HALF D’ around the rim and outside of the wreath. There is a star above and 1853 inside. Flat top triangular bow. Lee 5A; D 323.

Gold miners during the California Gold Rush. This coin was made with Gold Rush gold. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.