1852 "887" $50 U.S. Assay Office MS(PCGS#10016)

1852 "887" $50 U.S. Assay Office MS (PCGS#10016)

The March 2012 Baltimore Auction

详细说明: 1852 United States Assay Office of Gold $50 Gold. K-13. Rarity-5. 887 THOUS. EF-40 (PCGS). CAC. Handsome quality for the Territorial gold specialist as the corners are intact and the surfaces show minimal handling marks for a coin with a moderate degree of hard circulation from this early part of the California Gold Rush. From the many struck only a small number survive, perhaps 200 or so with many showing extensive problems as these massive coins were prone to edge dents from even casual handling. The obverse depicts the elegant Humbert eagle holding the fine ribbon inscribed LIBERTY in his beak. On the reverse the engine turned design is sharp and complete. Long ago when the San Francisco Mint finally cobbled itself together in 1854, most of these earlier gold coins returned and were melted into smaller double eagles for circulation, leaving few of these $50 behemoths for collectors today. Finding an example with so much eye appeal and attractive surfaces is quite a challenge. A formidable example of this cherished Territorial gold issue. Purchased by our consignor in 1983 and held since that time.