BG- 529, 1854 California Gold Rush Circulating Fractional Gold $1, Liberty Octagonal NGC MS61 R8

Here's an opportunity for the specialist in California Fractional Gold to acquire one of the great rarities of the entire expansive series: BG-529. This variety was struck with a single-use die. What distinguishes this variety from similar ones is that it has two stars between GOLD and DERI on the reverse. '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.

Corner of Kearny and Green Streets in San Francisco in 1866. The engraver M. Deriberpie had his shop down the street at 58 Kearny Street. (Photo Library of Congress)

It was only in September of 1980 that the discovery coin was found by Jay Roe; that coin was graded AU50. Only four of this variety exist. PCGS has graded 2: one each in AU50 and AU58+. NGC has also graded two: one in AU58 and this, the finest known and the Top Pop of MS61 that is being offered by AUCM.

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.