BG- 799, 1876 California Fractional GOld 25C, Indian Octagonal PCGS MS65 R4

This stunning example was produced by Christopher Ferdinand Mohrig, a German-born jeweler in San Francisco. The obverse displays an attractive Indian head design upon a miniature golden canvas. Thirteen stars surround the Indian head and the date 1876 is found below. The reverse presents an attractive wreath, within which is found ‘1/4 DOLLAR CAL.’

It was on August 10, 1876, that Mohrig was arrested by the Secret Service for being in violation of the 1864 law against private coinage. His stock and dies were seized and melted. However, this variety seems to have not been seized, for 100 examples of it were graded by PCGS. PCGS has graded 13 examples as MS65 with none finer. Collectors Universe gives this variety a price of $1,050.00 in MS65.

Birdseye view of San Francisco and the surrounding countryside in 1876. Image: Library of Congress.