BG-1107, 1870 California Fractional Gold $1, Liberty Octagonal NGC MS64 Prooflike R5

This dramatic variety was designed and produced by the jewelry firm of Robert B. Gray and Company of San Francisco in 1870. NGC has graded 1 of the BG-1107 pieces as MS64PL with a single piece finer.  This example has a fantastic look, with its rich, attractive reddish-golden coloration on both sides. Being prooflike makes this piece an even more desirable collectible.

The design is similar to, however also quite different from, Gray and Company’s 1869 gold $1.00 BG-1106 variety. The obverse of BG-1107 is the ubiquitous Liberty head, but this version has a different profile and longer, very wavy hair. The ‘G’ mintmark for Gray and Company is below the Liberty head. ‘CALIFORNIA GOLD’ is wrapped around the reverse near the rim and outside a wreath with berries, while ‘1 DOLLAR 1870’ is within the wreath. The changes lead one to believe that a new diesinker was hired by Gray and Company.