BG- 529, 1854 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold $1, Liberty Octagonal NGC AU58 R8

Here’s an excellent opportunity for the specialist in California Fractional Gold to obtain one of the great rarities of the entire extensive series: BG-529. This variety was struck with a single-use die. What distinguishes this variety from similar ones is that upon the reverse, it has two stars between GOLD and DERI. 'DERI' is short for M. Deriberpie, a private engraver who had a shop at 58 Kearny Street in San Francisco. He also cut dies for jewelers Nouzillet & Routhier.

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

September of 1980 saw the discovery coin found by Jay Roe; that piece was graded AU50. A small, precious total of only four of this variety exist. PCGS has graded 2: one each in AU50 and AU58+. NGC has also graded two: this attractive piece in AU58 and the finest known and the Top Pop of MS61. Therefore, NGC has graded one as AU58 with one finer in NGC (MS61) and one finer at PCGS (AU58+). Collectors Universe gives this rare variety a price of $37,500.00 in AU58.

The obverse of this octagonal coin presents the ubiquitous Coronet-Liberty head found on the federal issues of the day as well as the vast majority of California Fractional varieties. She is surrounded by eight stars. Around the rim at the top of the reverse is CALIFORNIA GOLD with DERI at the bottom. Within a beaded circle is found 1 DOLLAR 1854.