The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Part I



California Gold - Lots 2501-2728

California Small

Denomination Gold

Formation of the Collection

Our offering of the Harry Wesley Bass, Jr. Collection of California small denomination gold brings to the market one of the more extensive offerings of this specialty to cross the auction block in our time. Comprised of more than 300 lots, most of which consist of individual coins, the collection rivals many of the great cabinets that have gone before it. Indeed, the collection includes a number of rarities in the lofty R-8 category, plus four unlisted varieties of previously undescribed pairings. Over two dozen R-7 pieces plus hundreds of other specimens make this a veritable treasure trove for beginning and advanced California small denomination gold enthusiasts alike.

It seems that Harry Bass sought to buy California pieces in groups, often with duplication, perhaps hoping someday to study them under magnification to appreciate their die characteristics and, hopefully, to make new discoveries-the philosophy he followed with certain United States pattern coins, particularly of the late 1870s. If anything, the distribution among Breen-Gillio numbers is eclectic, sometimes including multiples of rarities, but lacking common varieties. This is not altogether out of keeping with certain of his other interests. For example, our offering of the Bass Collection currency is laden with great rarities (such as Demand Notes, Interest Bearing Notes, etc.) but has only one variety among the dozens of notes in common Series of 1918 $1 Federal Reserve issues. Perhaps, if Harry had collected art, he would have gathered a room full of Rembrandt oils, but would have only one or two modern limited-edition prints!

Fortunately for the present generation of numismatists, Harry Bass was possessed not only of an inquiring mind, but also with an acquiring mind. His desire to collect, gather, and own important numismatic items led him to purchase several holdings en bloc, including some notable groupings from his friends, Ron Gillio and the late Mike Brownlee (a few years ago we sold Mike's California gold at auction, under the title of the "Texas Collection"). Particularly notable among his acquisitions was a buy from Isadore Herman, of 270 pieces! Other well-known names in numismatics all shared in the friendship and acquaintanceship, the connoisseurship if you will, of Harry Bass. Our own firm as well as other names including the New Netherlands Coin Co. (John J. Ford, Jr.), Pine Tree Auction Co. (home for a time to Walter Breen, who with Ron Gillio co-authored the standard book on the series), "Quality" Sales Corp. Abner Kreisberg and Jerry Cohen); Stack's (Norman, Harvey, and Harvey's adult children, Larry and Susan), and Superior (the Goldberg family), are but some of the names that are associated with the present offering of California small denomination gold.

The Coins as a Part of History

These sparkling gold 25¢, 50¢, and $1 coins were made over a long period of time, mostly from about 1852 until the 1880s. Those of the early years undoubtedly served as small change in the channels of commerce while at the same time providing interesting souvenirs of the Gold Rush. Later issues were mostly made as souvenirs and were highly prized by visitors to California and, in time, were avidly collected by numismatists.

When employee James Marshall discovered a few flakes of gold in the tail race of Sutter's Mill on California's American River on January 24, 1848, little did he dream that his discovery would start a "gold rush" that would bring tens of thousands of Americans and foreigners to what became the land of opportunity. Word spread to the East, including in December of that year when a large deposit of California gold was made at the Philadelphia Mint, and 1848 "CAL." $2.50 pieces were coined from it. The next year the rush was on in full force, and adventurers arrived by sea and land. Almost immediately, a shortage of coins developed. To fill the need, "pinches" of gold dust were used for small transactions, while private firms such as Baldwin, Moffat, Miners Bank, and others produced coins, mostly of denominations from $5 to $20. The profit in making such coins seems to have been tenuous, as a $10 gold coin usually contained over $9.50 worth of precious metal. Had these firms made gold $1 pieces, there would have been no financial advantage due to the work involved.

Stepping into the opportunity were several other entrepreneurs who produced a stream of interesting quarters, half dollars, and dollars by the simple expedient of ignoring the concept of high intrinsic value. Later evaluations of these coins show that many if not most of the early issues (from the 1850s) had melt-down values of 50% to 75% of face value, and ones of later years were sometimes worth only a fraction of the value given on them. The strategy worked, for although such coins were never a part of bulk transactions in which intrinsic value was important, they did circulate readily as pocket change. Moreover, they were more convenient to use and perhaps even worth more than the equivalent "pinch" of gold dust, which was apt to vary widely (sometimes brass filings were used to deceive!).

It is believed that these coins first made their appearance in commerce in 1852. In the August 25, 1852 issue of The Daily Alta California, a news dispatch was reprinted from the pages of the New Orleans Picayune, from a city which was at least a month distant in terms of travel:

"We were shown this morning a gold half dollar, California money, which is so much like the United States gold dollar piece that the best judges would be completely deceived at first glance. The half dollar piece is lighter in color, and somewhat smaller in diameter than the dollar. They are of private issue and have stamped on them, HALF-DOLLAR CALIFORNIA GOLD 1852."

Another event ties these small pieces in with everyday pocket change: On December 2, 1853, the sidewheel steamer Winfield S. Scott sank in heavy seas near Anacapa Island, some 30 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. On board were 400 passengers, including many army officers heading east, and some $884,861.50 in treasure bound for Panama under Captain Simon F. Blunt, U.S. Navy. More than a century later, a local scuba diver named Glenn E. Miller and some friends located the wreck of the Winfield S. Scott and began salvage operations. On Memorial Day 1969, Miller and other divers including Paul Tizimoulis, publisher of Skin Diver magazine, and Jack McKenney, editor, went to the site. Dick Anderson, who later wrote several articles about the experience, including an account in the September 1969 issue of the Skin Diver, recalled:

"As soon as I hit water I began fanning the sand away from bedrock crevices. In less than five minutes I spotted what had to be a gold coin. It is hard to describe the thrill associated with such an event, but monetarily speaking it would be much like finding a hundred dollar bill in the middle of a field and knowing that there had to be a lot more of them around.

"I picked up the coin and looked at it. Even after 116 years of salty immersion the octagonal coin was in nearly perfect shape and the markings legible: '1 DOLLAR CALIFORNIA GOLD, 1853.' Part of the coin still glistened with the original mint lustre. I swallowed hard and continued fanning. In just moments I had uncovered two more gold coins: an octagonal half dollar and a round gold dollar."

Periods of Issuance

In September 1983, Walter Breen and Ronald J. Gillio released their magnificently researched and profusely illustrated California Pioneer Fractional Gold, a popular volume that was well-received at the time of publication and has become the definitive reference on the series to this day. Through Breen's research, we now divide the series into three separate periods.

Period One: Coins of this era were produced, either dated or undated, during the years 1852 through 1856. Many of these are of nearly the correct weight for the denomination, and when seen today show signs of actual circulation. Curiously enough, as Breen pointed out, many of the makers of these pieces were French in nationality. N. Deriberpe (or Deriberpie; both spellings occur), who signed his coins DERI or DERIB, was listed in an 1852 directory as being located at 58 Kearny Street, San Francisco, the same address which housed Antoine Louis Nouizillet, a jewelry manufacturer. It is now thought the initials DN appearing on certain issues represent a combination of the Deriberpe and Nouizillet names.

The maker's mark F.D. represents the firm of Frontier, Diviercy & Co., which did business from the rear of 81 Bush Street beginning in 1852 through 1859. Later in their history, they did business as Frontier & Co. in various locations around the city. The maker's mark, G.G, is thought to have stood for Gaime, Guillemont & Co., at 103 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, which was the San Francisco branch of an outfit with headquarters in New York City. It is now believed that Frontier, Diviercy & Co. made dies for the H. Guillemont pieces, as there is an interrelationship of letter and device punches.

The intermittent span between the ending of Period One coinage, around 1856, and the inception of Period Two pieces, around 1859, saw little or no actual production of California small denomination issues.

Period Two: This era began circa 1859, after a seeming lapse of two or three years in which no coinage from new dies is known to have occurred. This time saw a curious variety of pieces, mostly minted from 1859 to 1882, although some are backdated to as far back as 1852.

With the beginning of coinage from the San Francisco Mint in 1854, the two main manufacturers of these pieces, Frontier, Diviercy & Co. and Nouizillet & Routhier, are believed to have halted their production until 1859-1860 or so, when both firms again began minting coins. Made of a lower fineness than Period One coins, usually eight or 10 karat, they were frequently made as jewelry or souvenir items, although some of the earliest Period Two coins probably circulated readily at face value.

Coins with the maker's mark "G" are thought to have been issued by Robert B. Gray & Co., 616 Merchant Street, San Francisco, circa 1859-1871, as successors to the firm of Nouizillet & Co. Some collectors attribute these same pieces to Ferdinand Gruner, the San Francisco engraver who advertised extensively during the same era and who cut the dies for the impressive 1855 Kellogg & Co. round $50 gold coins.

Period Three: Coins of this era, produced from about 1883 until well into the early part of the present century, include pieces similar to those of Period Two, but bear earlier dates to prevent possible federal seizure and prosecution (shades of the 1652 Pine Tree shilling!). Nearly all of these are very light in weight and of low-grade alloy. It is probable that coins of this later period served primarily as souvenirs rather than as a circulating medium, for by this time the San Francisco Mint, opened in 1854, was producing fairly large quantities of silver coins with face values of less than a dollar.

Period Three coinage has an undefined end. Issuance of the pieces seems to have been a fairly continuous practice during the final quarter of the 19th century, at which time it is presumed they had no real value as a circulating medium, being rather a jewelry or souvenir item linking the days of the '49ers to this later era. Indeed, as late as 1916, M.E. Hart kept busy selling new (relatively) varieties of pieces bearing imprints of western states such as Montana and Idaho. He sold them in sets, as "Coins of the Golden West," at various fairs and exhibitions, and these too are now avidly collected by California small denomination gold specialists (our Boys Town Collection catalogue, 1998, gives more information about Hart).

Small California Coins in Numismatics

During the 1850s there were many cambists (listings of coins of various countries and their intrinsic values) distributed for the edification of the public and for use by banks and specie dealers. Dye's Gold and Silver Coin Chart Manual, published in New York in 1855, furnishes an example of a cambist that illustrated such pieces, in this instance a "California gold half dollar" assigned an exchange value of 48¢ and a "California dollar," 98¢. However, it seems unlikely that such coins would have been received for 48¢ and 98¢ respectively in New York City; otherwise, these pieces, of lower intrinsic value, would have been shipped there in quantity.

In 1860 the 2nd edition of Dr. Montroville W. Dickeson's American Numismatic Manual illustrated several small denomination California gold coins on Plate XIX and gave brief notices of them on pages 226-227. This was an expansion of the 1st edition, slightly differently titled as American Numismatical Manual, which had no pictures of the pieces. This may have been the first mention of them in a book expressly intended for coin collectors.

Their use as souvenirs was reflected in the Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, by James Pollock, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1863. There can be no doubt that the Philadelphia Mint, with veteran numismatists Jacob R. Eckfeldt and William E. Dubois on the staff, was more aware of coin varieties being minted in California than any other government agency or institution at the time:

"It will not be amiss to give some public information in regard to certain small octagonal gold coins, stamped '1/2 dollar, 1859,' and

'1/4 dollar,' without any name, but believed to be coined in California, and sold as pocket pieces, or to gratify the eagerness of coin collectors. Their fineness varies from 425 to 445 thousandths, and the intrinsic value of the '1/2 dollar' is 11 cents, while that of the '1/4 dollar' is six and a half cents. They present a good appearance."

In general, California small denomination pieces made circa 1852-1856 were of significant intrinsic value, although short of the face values inscribed on them. No doubt they were a convenience in trade.

It is highly unlikely that California citizens would have accepted later issues, which were mostly grossly lightweight, as pocket change, although in his 1988 Encyclopedia, Walter Breen dismisses this thought with this comment: "This amount of underweight was doubtless ignored in token small change; anyone who might have objected most likely received some answer as 'better honest gold than adulterated dust.' " In fact, such pieces were hardly "honest gold," Dye's Gold and Silver Coin Chart Manual notwithstanding. It is to be remembered that beginning in 1855, the San Francisco Mint turned out a stream of 25¢ and 50¢ pieces (in silver) which made the little gold tokens somewhat redundant.

Regardless of the circumstances of their original use, today these little pieces of California gold are highly interesting from a numismatic viewpoint and are enthusiastically collected. Some varieties are very rare and valuable.

As a brief overview, denominations are three: 25¢, 50¢, and $1. Formats are two: octagonal and round, the last being by far the scarcest. The combination of the $1 denomination and the round shape is particularly elusive. Motifs are mostly either of the Liberty Head style (loosely copied from the contemporary gold dollar) or of an Indian Head design of a chief, or, in coinage a woman, in feathered headdress (perhaps the Indian cent was an inspiration, but delineations vary). Some other interesting designs were made, and all of these are highly collectible. Included are the Washington Head pieces of 1872, the State Arms of California, and a few that are tiny cousins of the large $50 "slugs" with an eagle.

Important references on the series have been produced over a period of years by several authors including Edward M. ("Ed") Lee (California Gold Quarters, Halves, Dollars, 1932), R.H. Burnie (Small California Territorial Gold Coins: Quarter Dollars, Half Dollars, Dollars, 1955), Kenneth W. Lee (California Gold Dollars, Half Dollars, Quarter Dollars, 1970), David and Susan Doering (California Fractional Gold, 1980), and, as mentioned earlier, Walter Breen and Ron Gillio (California Pioneer Fractional Gold, 1983), the last being the text considered today to be the standard authority and the one used for attributions in the present offering.

Credits: Frank Van Valen was the cataloguer of the small denomination California gold. The editor (QDB) added a few comments and notes to the introduction, including some information from the new book, The Treasure Ship S.S. Brother Jonathan (which discusses the Winfield Scott in passing). Photography was by Douglas Plasencia. The entire Bowers and Merena organization helped with research and facilitation. Jack Totheroh provided updated rarity information that was used to advantage.

All photographs of California small denomination gold pieces are enlarged to twice actual size.

Octagonal 25¢ - Period One

2501     A trio of octagonal quarters, all of the Liberty Head style: I 1853 BG-101. Rarity-6-. VF-35. Nine stars obverse with "broken nose" details from polishing of the dies I 1853 BG-102. Rarity-4. AU-50. Large Head, four obverse stars I 1854 BG-105. Rarity-3. MS-60. Lustrous. Die State II. (Total: 3 pieces)

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2502     1854 Octagonal 25¢. BG-105. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-65 PL. A highly lustrous and attractive gem with reflective fields and frosty devices presenting a strong cameo contrast. Five obverse stars and large head of Liberty, DOLLAR far to left in reverse design. Die State I, before polishing separates Liberty's hair from the back of her coronet.

Finer than Lee:5; Heifetz:6; Texas:4004.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 744. Although there are various towns named Newport, this sale was named after the consignor.

2503     1854 Octagonal 25¢. BG-105. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Highly reflective surfaces with frosted devices; some small obverse planchet flakes are present. A second nice example of the variety. Die State II, repolished obverse with Liberty's hair separated from back of coronet.

Finer than Lee:5; Heifetz:6; Texas:4004.

As is the case with other varieties of the era, the head of Miss Liberty was adapted from the contemporary gold dollar portrait by Longacre.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2504     1855/4 Octagonal 25¢. BG-106. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Frosty and lustrous. Some faint obverse planchet flakes are evident. Four obverse stars. The popular variety with D and O of DOLLAR joined and with 5 in date boldly repunched in an attempt to hide the underlying 4.

Finer than Lee:6; Heifetz:7; equivalent to Texas:4005.

This overdate is from an unused die of 1854, perhaps made that year but not employed until 1855.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2505     1855/4 Octagonal 25¢. BG-106. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Highly reflective fields and frosted devices. A second Mint State example of a popular early overdate variety. The rustic die workmanship lends interest to the study of these early pieces.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 747.

2506     1856-FD Octagonal 25¢. BG-107. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous matte-like surfaces. FD (for Frontier, Deviercy & Co.) maker's mark on Liberty's coronet. Die State II, struck from obviously clashed dies.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2507     1854 Octagonal 25¢. BG-108. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Highly lustrous and richly toned in iridescent rose and blue. Eleven obverse stars. The head style of this variety more closely resembles that of the federal gold dollar issues of the era then do most others-this effect due to the large open field area around the portrait. Struck from a shattered reverse die.

Finer than Lee:9; Heifetz:9; Texas:4008.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2657.

2508     1854 Octagonal 25¢. BG-108. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-62. Subdued lustre on satiny surfaces. Another attractive example of this popular variety.

The typical obverse die was made by punching the head in the center, individually adding stars and date numerals, and adding notches at the border for denticles.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Octagonal Quarter Group

2509     Group of octagonal quarters, all Liberty Head unless noted: I 1854 BG-108. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1855 BG-110. Rarity-5. MS-60 I 1856 BG-111. Rarity-3 (2). MS-64 PL, and AU-58 I 1859 BG-702. Rarity-3. MS-64 I 1867 BG-709. Rarity-4. MS-64 I 1871 BG-717. Rarity-3 (2). MS-64, and EF-40. Both Die State II I 1872 Washington Head. BG-722. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1873 BG-728. Rarity-4. MS-63 I 1860-G BG-731. Rarity-5+ (2). MS-60, and AU-58 I 1863 BG-734. Rarity-7-. AU-58 I 1864-G BG-735. Rarity-4. AU-50 I 1868-G BG-746. Rarity-5+. AU-50 I 1870-G BG-762. Rarity-4. EF-45. A nice mix of Period One and Period Two pieces. (Total: 16 pieces)

2510     1856 Octagonal 25¢. BG-111. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-65 PL. A superb prooflike gem with highly reflective surfaces and frosty devices creating a strong cameo effect. Federal style portrait with 12 stars around Liberty. Rare early state of Die State I, with heavy clash marks on both sides (these dies are later ground, causing a "broken nose" appearance on Liberty-see next lot).

Equivalent to Texas:4011.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November1973.

Octagonal 25¢ - Period Two

1864 Octagonal Quarter Rarity

BG-706, Rarity-6-

No Clash Marks, Perhaps Unique as Such

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2511     1864 Octagonal 25¢. BG-706. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-63. Highly lustrous with some moderate prooflike contrast. Ten obverse stars around a large head of Liberty. Free of the heavy clash marks that are virtually always seen on examples of this variety (as in the following lot, for example), and extremely rare as such; this may be the only specimen extant.

Equivalent to Lee:120; Texas:4017.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2512     1864 Octagonal 25¢. BG-706. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-63. Moderately prooflike with warm orange-gold tones on lustrous surfaces. Another fine example of this scarce variety, this with the usual heavy clash marks on both sides.

Equivalent to Lee:120; Texas:4017.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2513     1866 Octagonal 25¢. BG-708. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-65. A frosty gem with attractive olive highlights. Among the finest known examples of this elusive variety. Large head of Liberty, nine stars around.

Finer than Lee:122; Heifetz:118; Texas:4019.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2665.

2514     1867 Octagonal 25¢. BG-709. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-65. A satiny problem-free gem with warm olive highlights on frosty surfaces. Another of the varieties with nine obverse stars around a large head of Liberty.

Finer than Lee:123; Heifetz:119; Texas:4020.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2666.

2515     1868 Octagonal 25¢. BG-710. Rarity-6+. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous satiny surfaces. A scarce variety within the Large Head style, nine stars around.

Finer than Lee:124; Texas:4021.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2516     1868 Octagonal 25¢. BG-711. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-65. A lustrous satiny gem with pale olive toning highlights. Some weakness noted at the date, as struck, and typical for the variety. Fairly scarce, particularly so when in such a fine grade.

Finer than Lee:125; Heifetz:120; Texas:4022.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2517     1869 Octagonal 25¢. BG-712. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous satiny surfaces with rose highlights. Nine stars around large head of Liberty.

Equivalent to Lee:126; Texas:4023.

Purchased from Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2518     1871 Octagonal 25¢. BG-714. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous warm golden surfaces. Another of the popular type with large head of Liberty and nine obverse stars.

Purchased from Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

Very Rare 1871 BG-715 25¢

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2519     1871 Octagonal 25¢. BG-715. Rarity-7-. Liberty Head. MS-65 or finer. A lovely frosty gem of extraordinary quality. One of the rarest varieties with nine stars and large head of Liberty. Perhaps just 10 or so examples of this variety are currently known. Reverse shattered at date and denomination. The die was probably discarded soon after this piece was struck, which may account for the rarity of the variety today.

Finer than Texas:4026.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2520     1871 Octagonal 25¢. BG-717. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-65. A satiny gem of outstanding overall quality, highly lustrous and essentially prooflike in appearance. Die State II, struck from a heavily polished obverse die, with "broken nose" details at Liberty's profile.

Finer than Lee:131; Heifetz:125; Texas:4028.

The "broken nose" characteristics that occur in several California small denomination gold varieties are generally caused by excessive die polishing. This polishing typically removes a portion of the design at the bridge of Liberty's or the Indian's nose.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Rare and Elusive 1871 25¢

BG-720, Rarity-7+

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2521     1871 Octagonal 25¢. BG-720. Rarity-7+. Liberty Head. MS-64. A satiny matte-like gem with rich olive and rose toning highlights. One of just a small handful of examples known of the variety, perhaps on the order of six or so pieces all told. Marginally finer than Texas:4031, that specimen called "perhaps the finest known" in our catalogue of that offering (which was Mike Brownlee's personal collection).

Finer than Lee:134; Texas:4031.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 753.

Gem Mint State 1872 Washington 25¢

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2522     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-722. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-65 PL. Blazing golden lustre enhances the satiny design elements and mirrored fields. Sharply struck and exquisitely preserved. A lovely coin in all respects. Washington at his finest.

Equivalent to Lee:135; Heifetz:128; Texas:4033.

The Washington Head is a landmark issue within the series, representing as it does a distinctive type of octagonal quarter found only on BG-722, 723, and 724. Perhaps 300 to 500 pieces are known across all three varieties. Also of interest is the variety in the round format, BG-818.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, February 1973.

Popular 1872 Washington Head 25¢

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2523     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-722. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-65. A satiny gem with strong lustre and a sharp strike. Large date and obverse stars, no berries in reverse wreath. Among the most popular of all design types in the series, owing of course to the presence of our Pater Patria on the obverse. A lovely gem.

Equivalent to Lee:135; Heifetz:128; Texas:4033.

Curiously, the Washington Head gold 25¢ issues were omitted from W.S. Baker's 1885 book, Medallic Portraits of Washington, no doubt an error.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Another Gem Washington Head 25¢

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2524     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-722. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-65. Satiny surfaces display strong lustre and a bold strike; warm olive highlights add to the overall appeal. A third pleasing gem specimen of a perennially favorite design type.

Equivalent to Lee:135; Heifetz:128; Texas:4033.

Yet Another Gem Washington Head 25¢

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2525     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-722. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-65. Another lovely gem Washington Head octagonal quarter, fully lustrous and essentially prooflike. Warm olive iridescence adds to the overall charm.

Equivalent to Lee:135; Heifetz:128; Texas:4033.

This offering of multiple gem examples of this scarce and popular design type is highly unusual!

Purchased from Isadore Herman, February 1973.

2526     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-722. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-64 PL. Olive iridescence glows on mirror fields and satiny motifs. Strike, surfaces, and eye appeal are well above average for the assigned grade.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, February 1973.

Rare 1872 Washington Head BG-723 25¢

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2527     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-723. Rarity-6-. Washington Head. MS-63. Lustrous with rose toning highlights. A rare Washington type that is eagerly pursued by specialists in the California small denomination gold series and collectors of Washingtonia as well. Obverse as BG-722 but repolished, new reverse with seven berries in the wreath. This variety is considerably rarer than BG-722.

Finer than Lee:136; Heifetz:129; Texas:4034 (ex Norweb).

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

Another Rare BG-723 Washington Head 25¢

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2528     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-723. Rarity-6-. Washington Head. MS-62. Lustrous yellow gold surfaces. Slightly bent, noticeable but not distracting, and quite possibly a result of the coining process. A second specimen of this rare Washington design type.

Finer than Lee:136; Heifetz:129; Texas:4034 (ex Norweb).

From RARCOA's sale of January 1973, Lot 13.

Important 1872 Washington Head 25¢ Rarity

BG-724, R-7

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2529     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-724. Rarity-7. Washington Head. MS-63. A frosty orange-gold specimen of the rarest and most important of the Washington Head quarter issues. Small Date, Small Stars obverse. Nicely struck and fully lustrous. The ready equal to Texas:4035, that called "perhaps finest known" in its catalogue. A variety that is seldom found nicer, and seldom offered for sale in any grade. A major opportunity!

Finer than Lee:137; equivalent to Texas:4035 (ex Garrett IV, March 1981, Lot 2150).

Purchased from Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2530     1873 Octagonal 25¢. BG-728. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous orange-gold surfaces. Large Head of Liberty with 13 stars of varying sizes around, date below. Die State II, shattered reverse die with retained cud in wreath at 5:00.

Finer than Texas:4039.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

Elusive 1860-G BG-730 25¢ Rarity

Small Liberty Head by Gray

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2531     1860-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-730. Rarity-7. Liberty Head. MS-60. Lustrous. Petite Head of Liberty with 15 stars around, "G" (for Robert B. Gray & Co.) beneath, date on reverse. One of just a half dozen or so specimens known of this rare variety. From a shattered reverse die, "more extensively broken than on any other coin in this series, explaining early discard and rarity," as noted by Breen. A splendid opportunity for the alert California small denomination gold specialist.

Significantly finer than Texas:4040.

Purchased from William Hall, April 1975.

2532     1866-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-740. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Deep golden orange mirrors surround lightly frosted design elements. A fairly rare variety, one of the Petite Heads, this with 13 stars around and maker's mark "G" below bust, and with denomination in shield on reverse. Formerly a Rarity-7 variety, but more specimens have surfaced in the past few years. Still scarce and desirable, particularly at the assigned grade.

Finer than Texas:4050.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

 

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2533     1867-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-741. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-60. Rich golden orange toning on bright and lustrous surfaces. A fairly rare variety with Petite Head of Liberty on the obverse and with the denomination within a shield on the reverse.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2534     1867-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-741. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. AU-58. Lustrous with deep orange toning, particularly on the obverse. A second pleasing specimen of a fairly elusive variety.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Important 1868-G 25¢ Rarity

BG-744, R-8

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2535     1868-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-744. Rarity-8. Liberty Head. AU-50. Deep orange with areas of violet on both sides. Fairly lustrous. A seldom-offered variety that is missing from nearly all major collections of California small denomination gold; for instance, this rare variety was conspicuously absent from the Texas Collection, one of the most important and complete cabinets ever formed within the series. This lot has "opportunity" written all over it!

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 751.

2536     1869-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-748. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. A satiny, lustrous specimen with claims to a higher grade. Obverse with 13 stars around Liberty, G below bust, shield and date reverse.

Finer than Texas:4057.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2537     1876 Octagonal 25¢. BG-750. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Warm orange toning on reflective surfaces. A lovely example of an elusive Liberty Head variety that was called Rarity-8 in the Texas Collection; a few more examples have come to light since 1992, hence the drop in its rarity rating.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2538     1869-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-751. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Highly reflective surfaces show strong lustre and lovely olive toning highlights. Difficult to locate in Mint State grades.

Significantly finer than Texas:4060.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2539     1870-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-752. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-60 PL. Lustrous with red-orange toning present on the obverse. A fairly elusive variety, one that is typically encountered in circulated grades. An important type issue, as this is the only octagonal quarter variety of the date with a shield denomination reverse; all the other varieties of the date have an unadorned fraction in the reverse denomination.

Finer than Texas:4061.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2540     1870-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-755. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Reflective fields and frosty motifs exhibit rich golden highlights. Variety with long hair ribbon at Liberty's bun and 13 crude six-pointed stars on the obverse.

Finer than Lee:165; Texas:4064.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2541     1870-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-757. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Reflective surfaces and frosty devices show warm orange highlights. An elusive variety, one that is quite difficult to locate in Mint State. The second L and the A in DOLLAR are boldly repunched.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2542     1870-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-759. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Deep orange toning graces lustrous prooflike surfaces. Sharply struck. Obverse with maker's mark "G" crowded into base of Liberty's portrait.

Significantly finer than Texas:4067.

From Superior's sale of the Ruby Collection, February 1975, Lot 1321.

A Sizable Group of Octagonal 25¢ Pieces

2543     A group of octagonal quarters, with Liberty and Indian Head styles included. Liberty Heads: I 1870-G BG-759. Rarity-4. MS-63 PL I 1871-G BG-768. Rarity-4. MS-60 PL I 1874/7874 BG-776. Rarity-5. MS-60 I 1870 BG-789. Rarity-5. MS-63. The "Lantern Jaw" variety I 1857 BG-1301. Rarity-2. MS-63 PL. One of the back-dated Period Three issues. Indian Heads: I 1872/1 BG-790. Rarity-4 (4). MS-64 PL (2), and MS-63 (2) I 1872 BG-791. Rarity-3 (2). MS-64 PL, and MS-60 I 1873 BG-794. Rarity-6+. MS-63 I 1875 BG-798. AU-58. Deeply toned I 1876 BG-799. Rarity-4. MS-64 I 1880 BG-799J. Rarity-4. MS-64 (2) I 1880 BG-799X. Rarity-4. MS-63. A nice group. (Total: 17 pieces)

2544     1870-G Octagonal 25¢. BG-761. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Reflective fields and frosty devices form a nice cameo contrast. Date and maker's mark on obverse below Liberty. The popular variety with the date spaced as 1 87 0.

Finer than Texas:4069.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 954.

2545     Pair of octagonal Liberty Head quarters, both MS-63 PL: I 1870-G BG-763. Rarity-4 I 1871-G BG-767. Rarity-3. (Total: 2 pieces)

2546     Two octagonal Liberty Head quarters, both Rarity-3: I 1871-G BG-765. AU-58 I 1871-G BG-767. MS-63 PL. (Total: 2 pieces)

2547     1871-L Octagonal 25¢. BG-770. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Lustrous satiny surfaces and well-struck design elements form an appealing combination. The first octagonal quarter dollar issue of California Jewelry Co. (Levison Bros.), the successors to Gray & Co. On the reverse, the O in DOLLAR is noticeably lower than the other letters.

Much finer than Texas:4078.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

Very Rare 1874 Quarter Dollar

BG-773, Rarity-8

Believed Finest Known

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2548     1874 Octagonal 25¢. BG-773. Rarity-8. Liberty Head. MS-65 PL. Highly lustrous with attractive olive highlights and prooflike surfaces. A prized rarity, one whose Rarity-8 status has survived for years. Needless to say, this variety is lacking in most collections in any grade; even the notable Texas Collection lacked an example. In fact, Breen and Gillio could not find a single auction offering. A prooflike gem such as this is probably the finest known of the variety.

A Second BG-773 25¢ Rarity

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2549     1874 Octagonal 25¢. BG-773. Rarity-8. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous with warm orange-gold highlights. Incredibly enough, here is a second Mint State specimen of this great rarity. Seldom does even one example of BG-773 appear in any grade; two Mint State specimens in the same sale is a practically unheralded event.

Rare 1874 Octagonal 25¢

BG-775, High Rarity-7

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2550     1874 Octagonal 25¢. BG-775. Rarity-7+. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Lustrous with attractive orange highlights. A rarity in all grades; the best the Texas Collection could muster was a prooflike MS-60 specimen (and that was the Heifetz specimen). Small federal style bust on obverse. The point of Liberty's bust joins firmly to the 1 of the date on this variety.

Finer than Texas:4082 (ex Heifetz:164).

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1975, Lot 2680.

2551     1876 Octagonal 25¢. BG-780. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous with deep orange and olive highlights. A choice Mint State specimen of the Baby Head variety. Die State I, before the dies have clashed.

Finer than Lee:187; Heifetz:169; Texas:4086.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2552     1872/1 Octagonal 25¢. BG-790. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-65 PL. Highly lustrous. The mirror fields and frosted design motifs form a sharp and pleasing contrast. Die State II, from clashed dies, with a cud connecting the sixth obverse star to the rim. Some faint obverse planchet laminations are present, as struck. A very popular overdate variety.

Finer than Texas:4095.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2553     1872 Octagonal 25¢. BG-791. Rarity-3. Indian Head. MS-65. A lustrous and satiny gem. Thin numerals in date, Indian's lowest hair curl touches 7 in date. Obverse edge cud at 3:00 partly obliterates the star there, and completely covers several denticles; this die state was not noted by Breen. A lovely gem example of the octagonal planchet Indian Head design type.

Finer than Texas:4096.

The obverse die of BG-791 was later altered, with a 3 punched over the 2 in the date, thus creating BG-792. Examples of BG-792 have a cud at the 3:00 position, as does the BG-791 offered here. Evidently the specimen in this lot is the latest state of the BG-791 obverse.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2681.

2554     1873 Octagonal 25¢. BG-794. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-64. Warm golden toning on satiny surfaces. Nicely struck. A scarce and desirable variety in an outstanding state of preservation. Hair curls joined to 73 in date.

Finer than Lee:201; Jay Roe/Heifetz:179; Texas:4099.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2555     1874 Octagonal 25¢. BG-795. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64. Lustrous, satiny, and sharply struck. A faint planchet lamination, as struck, crosses the Indian's cheek. The Low Date variety.

Finer than Lee:202; Texas:4100.

2556     Group of four 1874 quarters, all BG-795, a Rarity-4 issue: MS-64 (2), MS-63 PL, and MS-63.

2557     1875 Octagonal 25¢. BG-797. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-63. Lustrous with pale rose toning highlights. The Large Stars variety, with date from numeral punches.

Purchased from William Hall, April 1975.

2558     1876 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64. Lustrous orange-gold surfaces show warm olive toning. Die State I, with sawtooth border denticles (this obverse die is later polished, causing thin, attenuated denticles). An attractive coin overall.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2559     1876 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799C. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. A lovely specimen with strong cameo details and a sharp strike. The scarce variety with the R of DOLLAR attached to the adjacent leaf.

Purchased from William Hall, April 1975.

2560     1880/70 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799H. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-60. A lovely cameo with deep mirror fields and frosty central motifs. A scarce and desirable overdate, with the underlying 7 plainly visible behind the second 8 of the date. Walter Breen considered this variety "the crudest portrait among all the regular Large Indians."

Finer than Lee:213; Texas:4109.

2561     1880 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799J. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Lustrous reflective fields and satiny motifs exhibit deep orange-gold toning, particularly at the rims. The Wide Date variety. An attractive coin for the grade.

Finer than Texas:4111.

John Beck, of Pittsburgh, died in 1925, leaving behind a rich collection emphasizing gold, although also including the largest hoard of 1856 Flying Eagle cents ever gathered. It remained untouched for nearly half a century.

From "Quality" Sales Corp.'s sale of the Beck Collection, January 1975, Lot 614.

2562     1881 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799M. Rarity-5. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. A lovely near-gem specimen with strong lustre and a high degree of cameo contrast. Deep orange-gold highlights on both sides. The Large Head style of the obverse Indian portrait crowds the peripheral design elements.

Finer than Lee:217; Texas:4114.

2563     1881 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799O. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. A deeply mirrored specimen of near-gem quality with strong cameo contrast on both sides. Choice for the grade, and a lovely coin overall.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

Important 1868 Octagonal Indian 25¢

BG-799R, High Rarity-7

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2564     1868 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799R. Rarity-7+. Indian Head. MS-64. A highly lustrous coin with a prooflike obverse field and a sharp strike. The Indian's lowest curls touch the 6 and 8 in the date. A rare back-dated issue, and probably among the finest examples of the variety extant.

Finer than Texas:4119 (ex Lee:223).

The elusive variety offered here, BG-799R, is one of the handful of varieties whose rarity rating has actually increased in the 15 years since the publication of California Pioneer Fractional Gold by Walter Breen with Ronald J. Gillio. As the popularity of collecting California small denomination gold has grown, the rarity ratings within the series have adjusted. More and more specimens of certain varieties have come to light since Breen's (and those who came before him-namely Adams, Doering, Lee, Roe, et al ) research efforts. With the sharing of information that comes from numismatic camaraderie, collectors of the series have exchanged notes and findings, the end results being much more accurate and reliable than the information available just 15 years ago. Much of the rarity information given here is courtesy of Jack Totheroh, a long-time specialist in the series and a fine friend of our firm.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

"1852" Octagonal Quarter Rarity

BG-799V, Rarity-7+

A Connoisseur's Prize


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2565     1852 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799V. Rarity-7+. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Highly lustrous with deep cameo contrast between the frosty orange-gold motifs and deep mirror fields. A classic rarity, a variety that is missing from virtually every major collection of California small denomination gold. The Texas Collection, for instance, did not contain one. The change in the rarity rating from Rarity-8 (in 1992) to Rarity-7+ (today) indicates a few more specimens have become known to collectors. However, this is still a rare variety. From the same obverse die as BG-799U, but coupled with Breen's reverse B (in place of the usually seen reverse C). The very rare back-dated variety with the 1 in the date joined to Indian's bust, and with the Indian's hair connected to the 5 and 2 immediately below.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Rare 1880 Aztec Head 25¢

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2566     1880 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799W. Rarity-6+. "Aztec" Indian Head. MS-65 PL. Warm orange-gold toning on both sides. A lustrous cameo-like gem of impeccable quality and eye appeal. A rarity in all grades. Wide Date, obverse stars arranged six left, seven right. Die State I, reverse bow normal (this die feature is later crudely recut), and rare as such.

Finer than Lee:226; Texas:4122.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 758.

2567     1880 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799X. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-65. Highly lustrous orange-gold surfaces. Another of the popular Aztec Head varieties, this with obverse stars distributed five left, eight right. Die State II, reverse bow crudely recut. Choice overall.

Finer than Texas:4123.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 757.

Elusive 1882 Octagonal Quarter

BG-799CC, Rarity-7

Young Indian Head

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2568     1882 Octagonal 25¢. BG-799CC. Rarity-7. Young Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Deep golden iridescence on both sides. The devices are frosty and contrast nicely with the reflective fields. The Young Indian Head variety, about which Breen wrote: "Whether one collects by maker, type, or date, this is the climax of the Indian Heads and the key coin of the series." The only 1882-dated octagonal quarter. Important at this grade level.

Finer than Lee:231 and 733; Texas:4127.

Round 25¢ - Period One

2569     Undated Round 25¢. BG-204. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-63. A lovely coin, sharply struck and highly lustrous. A very scarce variety, struck circa 1852-53. Obverse with 12 stars around a Petite Head of Liberty, reverse with O of DOLL broadly repunched. Choice for the assigned grade.

Finer than Lee:4132.

BG-204 is the only Period I issue with the denomination spelled as DOLL.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2689.

Round Liberty Head 25¢ Group

2570     Selection of Liberty Head round quarters, all undated unless noted: I BG-204. Rarity-6. EF-45 for sharpness, holed and plugged I BG-206. Rarity-5+ (2). MS-60, and EF-45 I BG-207. Rarity-6+. EF-40 I BG-221. Rarity-4. MS-60 I BG-222. Rarity-3 (2). MS-63, and MS-60 I BG-224. Rarity-3 (3). MS-63, MS-62, and AU-58 I 1856 BG-229. Rarity-4 (2). EF-40, and VF-35 I 1870 BG-808. Rarity-3. MS-63 I 1871 BG-809. Rarity-4. AU-58 I 1873 BG-817. Rarity-3 (2). MS-63, and MS-62 I 1864 BG-821. Rarity-5+. MS-62. (Total: 17 pieces)

Desirable 1853 Round 25¢

BG-209, Rarity-7

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2571     1853 Round 25¢. BG-209. Rarity-7. Liberty Head. MS-62 PL. Highly lustrous. Mirror surfaces exhibit rich golden toning. An important rarity in all grades. Reverse with round top to 3 in date, reversed 4 in fraction. The head style is similar to federal gold dollars of the era.

Finer than Lee:22.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2572     Undated Round 25¢. BG-221. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Flashy surfaces exhibit iridescent rose, sky blue, and orange. Die State II, faint reverse crack from rim to lowest right leaf. A beautiful representative of the grade and design type by Antoine Nouizillet. Forming an entire collection of California small denomination gold pieces of this quality would be a world-class accomplishment.

From RARCOA's sale of January 1973, Lot 19.

2573     Undated Round 25¢. BG-222. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-64. Highly lustrous with a modest cameo contrast. Variety with 12 obverse stars around a federal-style head of Liberty. Struck circa 1852-54. Die State I, perfect dies (the reverse later develops cracks).

Finer than Texas:4146.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2574     Undated Round 25¢. BG-222. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous with olive toning highlights. Another nice example of this popular variety. Die State I, perfect dies.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

2575     Undated Round 25¢. BG-223. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-62. Lustrous. On a slightly wavy planchet, not uncommon for the variety. Obverse with 12 stars and point of Liberty's bust firmly attached to a star. Die State I, lower left inner berry visible on the reverse.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 763.

2576     Undated Round 25¢. BG-224. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-64. Highly lustrous with rich orange toning. Point of Liberty's bust touches star.

Finer than Texas:4148.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Unlisted Die Combination Round Liberty 25¢

Obverse of Breen-224, New Reverse

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2577     Undated Round 25¢. "BG-224A." Rarity-8. Liberty Head. AU-58. Lustrous medium gold surfaces. Currently a rare issue owing to its combination of the known obverse die of BG-224 with a reverse die that is similar to, but not the same as, that of BG-224 (see note below). This fact was first pointed out in our sale catalogue of the Newport Collection, where the piece was described as: "Unlisted in Lee. Obverse same as that found on Lee 3-C, but reverse has 16 berries instead of 14." We have assigned a Rarity-8 rating for this elusive variety until further research uncovers other specimens from this die pair. One of the most important opportunities in this section of the sale.

This reverse differs from that of BG-224 (as well as those of BG-221 through 223, which also are similar and of the dateless reverse style) in several ways. Chief among these is the berry count, as mentioned in the earlier description from the Newport Collection catalogue. Other differences are apparent in such diagnostics as the ends of the wreath stems at the bottom of the reverse, and the placement of the numerator in the reverse fraction in relation to the wreath ends. Another obvious difference is noted at the A of DOLLAR; that letter appears short and squat on the reverse of the offered coin.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 761.

2578     1855 Round 25¢. BG-226. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. AU-55. Lustrous with warm orange toning. Regarding this variety, Breen noted: "Always shows heavy break joining coronet to fifth and sixth stars, smaller die failure below bust point." This specimen is apparently from an early state of the obverse die, as there are only tiny vestiges of the breaks Breen mentions. A rare variety in all grades.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2693.

2579     1855 Round 25¢. BG-227. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Highly lustrous with reflective fields and frosty devices. A fairly scarce variety. Die State IV, small yet advanced reverse die cracks.

Significantly finer than Texas:4151.

2580     1856 Round 25¢. BG-230. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-65. A highly lustrous and frosty gem with a prooflike obverse and a sharp strike. Die State I, faint cracks developing on Liberty's portrait. The variety with 12 obverse stars and a faint fraction bar.

Much finer than Texas:4154.

From RARCOA's sale of January 1973, Lot 25.

2581     1859 Round 25¢. BG-801. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. A brilliant and lustrous coin of near-gem quality; indeed, few would hesitate to apply the gem appellation to this piece. Large, crude head style, 10 stars around. On the reverse, the top leaves of the wreath act as the fraction bar and the R of DOLLAR is broadly repunched. From the earliest state of the obverse die, with a faint vestige of the maker's mark "FD" present on Liberty's coronet (this fades quickly from the die).

Large Liberty Head punch, as seen on this and certain other Frontier & Diviercy dies. The neck truncation is straighter and there are other differences between this and the Liberty Head used on the firm's 50¢ pieces.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2695.

2582     1866 Round 25¢. BG-804. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Incredible lustre on olive-gold surfaces. One of the popular DOLIAR reverse varieties.

Much finer than Texas:4158.

The curious DOLIAR spelling is actually the result of poor spacing of the letters in the reverse denomination; the lower (viewer's) left serif of the A overlaps the horizontal base of the preceding L, causing it to look like an I.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 765.

2583     1866 Round 25¢. BG-804. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63. Warm olive and rose toning on lustrous surfaces. Seven obverse stars, one below, none above Liberty.

Much finer than Texas:4158.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2696.

2584     1867 Round 25¢. BG-805. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-64. Frosty olive-gold surfaces. The scarce variety with the multiple-punched R of DOLLAR firmly embedded in the adjacent wreath, and with a boldly repunched 7 in the date.

Finer than Lee:236; Texas:4159.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2698.

2585     1868 Round 25¢. BG-806. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-65. Frosty, sharp, and lustrous. In short, a lovely gem specimen. Die State I, no reverse die break.

Equivalent to Texas:4160.

2586     1868 Round 25¢. BG-806. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-65. Lustrous and frosty, a second pleasing gem specimen. Die State II, reverse die breaks at top of wreath and fraction.

Equivalent to Texas:4160.

2587     1870 Round 25¢. BG-808. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-65. A lustrous gem with pleasing olive highlights. The variety with a "fourfold twist" in place of a bow at the bottom of the reverse wreath.

Significantly finer than Texas:4161.

2588     1871 Round 25¢. BG-809. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-65. A satiny gem with lustrous surfaces and pleasing olive toning. Seven obverse stars, two berries inside each branch of the reverse wreath.

Finer than Lee:240.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2589     1871 Round 25¢. BG-812. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-65. A frosty and lustrous example of the scarce variety with the date low and to the right on the reverse. Warm olive toning graces both sides.

Finer than Texas:4164.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 767.

2590     1871 Round 25¢. BG-813. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-62. Lustrous. Same Liberty Head as the preceding lot, but now with 13 stars (in place of seven) around and date below Liberty on the obverse, moved there from the reverse. Die State II, head of Liberty shows extensive raised areas from die rust.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2707.

2591     1872 Round 25¢. BG-814. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Highly lustrous with strong cameo contrast present on both sides. A lovely near-gem example of a scarce Liberty Head quarter dollar variety.

2592     1873 Round 25¢. BG-817. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous with modest prooflike properties. Obverse with 13 stars around Liberty, some of them very small; reverse wreath with six berries left, seven berries right.

Equivalent to Texas:4169.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Popular 1872 Washington Head 25¢

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2593     1872 Round 25¢. BG-818. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-64. A lustrous and frosty example, one that is choice for the grade. Date below, 13 stars around bust of Washington to left on obverse, wreath reverse. A pleasing near-gem specimen of one of the most desirable and popular types in the California small denomination gold series. Scarce in relation to the everlasting demand for this design type.

Finer than Texas:4170.

The round counterpart to the octagonal BG-722, 723, and 724 issues. The obverse of this popular design type shows up in later use as a jeweler's charm, clearly marked as such on the reverse.

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2594     1872 Round 25¢. BG-818. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-64. Highly lustrous. Some prooflike reflectivity is noted on both sides, quite unusual for a variety that is nearly always seen with frosty surfaces. A second attractive example of the popular Washington Head variety.

Finer than Texas:4170.

2595     1872 Round 25¢. BG-818. Rarity-4. Washington Head. MS-63. Delightful olive iridescence graces the frosty surfaces of this lovely round Washington quarter. Always popular.

Equivalent to Lee:248; Texas:4170.

Round Liberty Head Quarter Group

2596     A selection of Liberty Head round quarters: I 1860/50 BG-819. Rarity-5. AU-55 I 1863 BG-820. Rarity-6. AU-50 I 1865 BG-822. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1867-G BG-825. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1869-G BG-827. Rarity-6-. AU-58 I 1869-G BG-828. Rarity-5 (2). MS-63, and Net F-12, once mounted I 1870-G BG-835. Rarity-3. AU-50 I 1871-G BG-838. Rarity-3 (3). MS-63, EF-40, and Net EF-40. (Total: 11 pieces)

2597     1865 Round 25¢. BG-822. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. A lovely cameo example with warm golden highlights on both sides. Obverse with 14 stars around Liberty, reverse with low 5, date repunched.

Continual repolishing of the obverse die (which makes its first appearance as BG-820) and repunching of the stars (BG-822) has now resulted in stars that can more accurately be called "blobs," as many of the stars more closely resemble hearts or spades from a deck of playing cards than they do stars.

2598     1869-G Round 25¢. BG-828. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-64. A lustrous gem, at least within the context of the grade. Lovely yellow gold surfaces. From a heavily polished obverse die, with just a fragment of Liberty's lip details in the field.

Finer than Texas:4180.

From Superior's sale of the Ruby Collection, February 1975, Lot 1320.

2599     1870-G Round 25¢. BG-835. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-63. Highly lustrous. Small federal-style head of Liberty with 13 stars around, date and maker's mark "G" below bust.

Finer than Texas:4186.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 766.

Unlisted 1870-G Quarter Die Combination

Obverse of BG-835, Reverse of BG-835/839

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2600     1870-G Round 25¢. "BG-835A." Rarity-8. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous light golden orange surfaces. Unmistakable obverse of BG-835 with straight area on rim above uppermost stars. Reverse with die cracks from rim to wreath at 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, and 12:00, as on BG-839 (which Breen called "shattered die of BG-834"). A rarity that has yet to appear in sufficient numbers to alter the Rarity-8 rating we apply for the issue.

Important 1871-G Liberty Head 25¢ Rarity

BG-837, High Rarity-7

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2601     1871-G Round 25¢. BG-837. Rarity-7+. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Lustrous orange-gold surfaces show decent cameo contrast. Thought to be just the second example of the variety known at the time of purchase; a few more specimens have surfaced in the ensuing 23 years, but not enough to sharply alter the rarity rating of the variety. This rare variety has a tell-tale obverse die crack that connects the bottoms of all the date numerals.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2710.

2602     1871-G Round 25¢. BG-838. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Lustrous with attractive olive toning highlights. A lovely near-gem example of the variety with repunched 7 in date and repunched maker's mark "G."

Finer than Texas:4189.

2603     Quintette of round Liberty and Indian Head quarters. Liberty Heads: I 1871-G BG-839. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1871-G BG-840. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1870 BG-867. Rarity-5. MS-63. Indian Heads: I 1876 BG-853. Rarity-5+. MS-63 I 1872/1 BG-870. Rarity-3. EF-45. (Total: 5 pieces)

2604     1871-L Round 25¢. BG-841. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Lustrous. The first round quarter dollar issue of the California Jewelry Co., owned by the Levison Brothers, hence the maker's "L" mark. Variety with 8 in date punched low into the denticles.

2605     1873 Round 25¢. BG-842. Rarity-6+. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous with splashes of orange and olive toning. Small federal-style head of Liberty with 13 stars around and date below. Large Date variety, an elusive issue.

Finer than Texas:4193.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 963.

1874 Round Quarter Rarity

BG-845, R-7

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2606     1874 Round 25¢. BG-845. Rarity-7. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Highly reflective fields and frosted devices form a pleasing cameo contrast. A choice Uncirculated example of a very rare variety. No berries in the reverse wreath.

Finer than Lee:272.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2713.

2607     1876 Round 25¢. BG-850. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-62. Flashy olive-gold surfaces show strong lustre and some prooflike reflectivity. A rare issue, one of the Small Indian Head varieties.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 965.

2608     1876 Round 25¢. BG-853. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63. A lustrous specimen with plenty of eye appeal. Small Indian Head obverse with 13 stars around, and a large gap between stars three and four.

Finer than Texas:4204.

1876 Round Liberty 25¢ Rarity

BG-856, High Rarity-7

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2609     1876 Round 25¢. BG-856. Rarity-7+. Liberty Head. MS-62. Lustrous with rich rose toning highlights in the recessed areas. Some reverse striking weakness is noted, not unusual for the variety. An attractive Mint State specimen of a very rare and desirable variety. Point of bust dramatically divides 1 and 8 in date.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2610     1871-H Round 25¢. BG-859. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-64. A lustrous golden orange example of the Low Head variety; the top of the maker's mark "H" is embedded in the truncation of Liberty's neck. Rare so fine.

Finer than Lee:285; Texas:4209.

2611     1871-H Round 25¢. BG-861. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-64. A dashing mix of lustre and eye appeal radiates boldly from the satiny surfaces. A faint obverse edge abrasion is seen at 8:00.

Finer than Lee:287; Texas:4211.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 770.

2612     1871-H Round 25¢. BG-864. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-65. Strong lustre and orange-gold highlights on satiny surfaces. A gem specimen of the scarce variety with smallest date and large stars on the obverse, and with the maker's mark "H" firmly embedded in Liberty's neck.

1871-H Round 25¢ With Unrecorded Reverse

Obverse of BG-864, Believed Unique

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2613     1871-H Round 25¢. "BG-864A." Rarity-8. Liberty Head. MS-60. Deep rose and violet toning on lustrous surfaces. The obverse is clearly that of BG-864, while the reverse differs from the recorded varieties in the Breen-Gillio reference (see note below). Believed to be unique at the present time.

On the reverse, the two bottom central berries inside the wreath line up with the A in CAL directly above, one berry directly under each foot of the A. No other plated reverse in the Breen-Gillio reference (of those coupled with the 1871-H issues of BG-857 through 865) matches this reverse; the plainest proof of this is seen at the above-mentioned berry alignment.

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2614     1870 Round 25¢. BG-867. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Highly lustrous. A lovely near-gem example of the popular Goofy Head variety, one that is seldom offered in Mint State grades. Struck on a planchet that has a natural crack from the obverse rim at 3:00, in a zig zag pattern to the tip of Liberty's jaw; when held up to the light, the crack can be seen through. Obverse with 13 stars around Liberty, very small and irregular in shape.

Finer than Texas:4216.

2615     1872/1 Round 25¢. BG-868. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-65 PL. Highly lustrous with frosted devices and mirrored fields. A popular overdate variety with repunched 8, and with 1 visible behind the 2 in the date. An attractive specimen overall.

Finer than Texas:4217.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2616     1872/1 Round 25¢. BG-869. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64. Lustrous orange-gold surfaces. A popular overdate. The 8 in the date repunched, and a rim cud extends to the 2 in the date. Additionally, the reverse is heavily shattered with a sizeable retained cud within the wreath details.

2617     1872/1 Round 25¢. BG-870. Rarity-3. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Brilliant with frosty motifs and reflective fields. A popular variety with type collectors. Obverse stars split six left, seven right. Die State II, obverse cud at 72 of date.

2618     A quintette of 1872/1 round quarters, all BG-870 and all Rarity-3: I MS-62 (3), MS-61, and MS-60. (Total: 5 pieces)

2619     1873 Round 25¢. BG-872. Rarity-6-. Indian Head. MS-65. A lustrous gem with strong design features and olive toning highlights. Scarce so fine. The elusive variety with a period after the date but without a period after CAL on the reverse.

Finer than Texas:4221.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 964.

2620     1873 Round 25¢. BG-874. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. A delightful prooflike specimen of near-gem quality, richly toned in deep orange-gold. Strong cameo contrast present on both sides. Rare so fine.

Finer than Texas:4222 (ex Jay Roe/Lee:298; Heifetz:260).

2621     1874 Round 25¢. BG-876. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-65 PL. Lustrous devices and reflective fields show warm olive highlights. A lovely gem specimen of the moderately scarce variety with low 7 in the date. The first of five Uncirculated examples of the variety offered.

Finer than Texas:4224.

2622     A selection of round quarters, all Indian Heads unless noted: I 1874 BG-876. Rarity-4 (4). MS-64 PL, MS-64 (2), and MS-63 I 1875 BG-878. Rarity-4. MS-64 I 1876 BG-879. Rarity-4. MS-62 I 1855 BG-1302. Rarity-2. MS-60. One of the back-dated Period Three issues of New York jeweler Herman Kroll. (Total: 7 pieces)

2623     1875/3 Round 25¢. BG-877. Rarity-6. Indian Head. MS-64. Lustrous golden surfaces. A rare variety, particularly in such high grade. Large 5 in date. Die State III, crack from rim to fifth obverse star.

Finer than Lee:301; Texas:4225.

2624     1875 Round 25¢. BG-878. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Deeply prooflike, with highly reflective fields and frosted design elements forming a strong cameo contrast. An attractive coin overall. The Small 5 variety; that numeral leans noticeably to the left. Die State II, obverse die shattered.

Finer than Texas:4226.

2625     1876 Round 25¢. BG-879. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Rich olive-gold toning on both sides. Stars away from the Indian's portrait, no period after CAL on the reverse.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2626     1876 Round 25¢. BG-881. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-60. Deep olive toning on lustrous surfaces. Obverse with 10th star joined to tip of feather.

Equivalent to Texas:4229 (ex Norweb, October 1987, Lot 1086).

1876 Round Indian 25¢ Rarity

BG-882, High Rarity-7

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2627     1876 Round 25¢. BG-882. Rarity-7+. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Highly reflective fields and frosty motifs display strong lustre and warm olive toning highlights. One of the prize rarities among the round quarter dollar issues. The specimen in the Texas Collection was called: "One of perhaps just two or three examples currently known," and rated Rarity-8 in that sale. A few more specimens of this variety have come to light since that sale, yet at its new level, Rarity-7+, the rarity is still a factor of some importance. Final star and 76 of date nearly touch Indian's curls.

Equivalent to Lee:306; Texas:4230.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 966.

2628     1880/76 Round 25¢. BG-885. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. A lovely prooflike specimen with olive toning highlights present on both sides. An attractive coin overall, choice for the assigned grade. The "Written Date" variety, with hand-engraved numerals in lieu of the usually punched date.

2629     1855 Round 25¢. BG-886. Rarity-6. Indian Head. MS-64. Warm olive-gold surfaces show satiny lustre. A scarce and desirable variety. The ninth and 10th obverse stars are broadly repunched.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2630     1881 Round 25¢. BG-887. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Fully frosty devices and deep mirror fields are toned in lovely orange-gold hues. Variety with even-shaped stars, die line connecting final star to feather, date away from hair.

Finer than Texas:4235.

From Superior's sale of the Ruby Collection, February 1975, Lot 1322.

2631     1852 Round 25¢. BG-891. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Mirror fields and frosty design motifs display warm olive highlights. A choice Mint State example of a fairly scarce variety. One of the back-dated issues, probably struck 25-30 years after the "1852" date on the coin.

Finer than Texas:4239.

Purchased from Isadore Herman, November 1973.

Octagonal 50¢ - Period One

Popular 1853-FD Octagonal 50¢

Desirable Eagle Reverse Type

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2632     1853-FD Octagonal 50¢. BG-302. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63. A lovely coin, richly toned in deep violet and gold at the rims. A popular type with Liberty obverse and eagle with arrows and rays reverse, sometimes called the "peacock" reverse. The maker's mark "FD" (for the firm of Frontier & Deviercy), appears in the obverse field behind Liberty's head. Typically found well circulated, as this early type actually saw heavy circulation in everyday commerce.

Finer than Texas:4242.

The presence of rays behind the eagle on the reverse of BG-302 has caused some students of the series to apply the name "Peacock reverse" to this type. As can be seen, however, the eagle has tail feathers that extend below and behind the arrow it is perched upon. Most likely the rays around the eagle are in imitation of the circulating quarter and half dollar federal coinage of 1853.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2633     1853-FD Octagonal 50¢. BG-302. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-60. Warm orange-gold lustre on both sides. A second attractive Mint State example of the desirable eagle or "peacock" reverse type.

Finer than Texas:4242.

2634     1853-FD Octagonal 50¢. BG-302. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-60. Lustrous with iridescent rose toning on both sides. A final Mint State example of the popular eagle style reverse.

Finer than Texas:4242.

Scarce 1853-FD Octagonal Half Dollar

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2635     1853-FD Octagonal 50¢. BG-304. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-62. Lustrous with deep orange-gold highlights and essentially prooflike surfaces. A scarce variety, this with head of Liberty on the obverse and maker's mark "FD," above date, and with the reverse denomination as 1/2 DOLLAR within a beaded circle. One of the Period One circulating varieties.

Finer than Texas:4244.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 967.

2636     Group of octagonal half dollars, all Liberty Heads: I 1854 BG-305. Rarity-4 (3). MS-62 PL, EF-40, and Net VF-20 I 1854-FD BG-306. Rarity-4. MS-63 I 1854-N BG-308. Rarity-4. AU-58 I 1855-N BG-309. Rarity-6. MS-60 I 1859 BG-902. Rarity-4. MS-60. (Total: 7 pieces)

2637     1854-N Octagonal 50¢. BG-306. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. A lustrous golden coin of near-gem quality, with strong reflectivity and grand eye appeal. Small federal-style head of Liberty with 10 stars around and date below on obverse, reverse with 1/2 DOLLAR in beaded circle, maker's mark "FD" below and outside of circle. Die State II, obverse heavily polished, date fragmented.

2638     1856 Octagonal 50¢. BG-307. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-60. Lustrous with orange and olive toning highlights. An elusive variety with 13 stars around Liberty on the obverse and a star below the date on the reverse. Difficult to locate in Mint State.

Significantly finer than Texas:4247.

On the reverse, the 2 in the fraction is broadly repunched.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2639     1855-N Octagonal 50¢. BG-309. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous with attractive olive and rose iridescence on both sides. Large head of Liberty with 13 stars around, date but no star in wreath. A lovely near-gem example of a fairly rare variety.

Much finer than Texas:4249 (ex Garrett IV, March 1981, Lot 2169).

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

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2640     1855-N Octagonal 50¢. BG-309. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-62. Warm orange highlights on lustrous surfaces. Large Head style with 13 stars around Liberty, date, denomination, and maker's mark on reverse.

Finer than Texas:4249.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

Rare 1856-N Octagonal Half Dollar

BG-310, Rarity-7

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2641     1856-N Octagonal 50¢. BG-310. Rarity-7. Liberty Head. AU-58. Highly lustrous with warm orange tones in the recessed areas. A rare and desirable variety, indeed, one of the few varieties that was not represented in our sale of the Texas Collection. Even at "just" AU-58, its desirability is undeniable. Maker's mark "N" for Antoine Louis Nouizellet & Co., below bow on reverse wreath.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 968.

2642     1856-N Octagonal 50¢. BG-311. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Richly toned in deep orange-gold. Choice for the grade. Same obverse as BG-310, reverse very similar, maker's mark "N" below bow.

Easily equivalent to Lee:52; Texas:4250.

From RARCOA's sale of Auction '80, August 1980, Lot 1883.

Octagonal 50¢ - Period Two

2643     1859 Octagonal 50¢. BG-902. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Satiny orange-gold surfaces with warm lustre on both sides. Variety with 11 obverse stars of various sizes around head of Liberty. Weakly struck at DOLLAR and the date on the reverse, typical for the variety. A lovely near-gem example.

Finer than Texas:4252.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2644     1867 Octagonal 50¢. BG-905. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-65. Lustrous and frosty with attractive olive highlights. An elusive variety, particularly in gem condition. Some weakness of strike on the reverse, a typical state for this variety.

Finer than Texas:4254 (that piece ex Norweb:1088, October 1987).

2645     1868 Octagonal 50¢. BG-906. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-65. Satiny with lively lustre and pale olive toning. A scarce variety, recognizable by the double berry to the left of the 1 in the date.

Equivalent to Lee:321; Texas:4255.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 970.

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2646     1870 Octagonal 50¢. BG-909. Rarity-6+. Liberty Head. MS-64. Highly lustrous with essentially prooflike surfaces. An elusive and seldom-seen variety. Small shrunken berry to right of R in DOLLAR.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2647     1871 Octagonal 50¢. BG-911. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. Subdued lustre on pale golden surfaces. Obverse with nine stars around Liberty and a stray hair curl above her hair bun.

Finer than Texas:4260.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2648     1871 Octagonal 50¢. BG-912. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous yellow gold surfaces. Eight five-pointed obverse stars.

Equivalent to Texas:4261.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2649     Group of octagonal Liberty Head half dollars: I 1871 BG-912. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1872/1 BG-914. Rarity-5. MS-62 I 1873 BG-915. Rarity-4. Net F-12, holed I 1856-C BG-916. Rarity-5-. Net VG-8, ex jewelry I 1864-G BG-917. Rarity-5. AU-50 I 1870 BG-920. Rarity-5. AU-58 PL. (Total: 6 pieces)

2650     1881 Octagonal 50¢. BG-913. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-60. Subdued lustre on satiny orange-gold surfaces. Wide Date variety, no berries in reverse wreath.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2651     1872/1 Octagonal 50¢. BG-914. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous golden surfaces. Popular overdate variety with 13 stars around, date below bust of Liberty, OL in DOLLAR boldly repunched on the reverse.

Significantly finer than Texas:4263.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2652     1873 Octagonal 50¢. BG-915. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-65 PL. A lustrous olive-gold cameo specimen that holds up well under close scrutiny. A gem of the utmost appeal, sharply struck and nicely preserved. Of the quality of which great collections are built upon, a coin that would be just as at home in an advanced collection as in a high-grade California small denomination gold coin type set.

Finer than Texas:4264.

From Superior's sale of the Ruby Collection, January 1975, Lot 1325.

2653     1864-G Octagonal 50¢. BG-918. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-65 PL. Nicely struck, with frosty motifs and reflective fields toned in rich orange-gold. A superb gem specimen of the popular Caricature Head variety. The maker's mark is actually a G; Breen called it "C," but careful examination reveals it to be a broken (or lightly impressed) G mark from the firm of Gray & Co.

Much finer than Texas:4267 (ex Garrett IV:2170).

2654     1869-G Octagonal 50¢. BG-919. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Lustrous with pale olive and rose highlights. The variety with CAL. GOLD HALF DOL and date in reverse wreath.

Finer than Texas:4268.

2655     1870-G Octagonal 50¢. BG-922. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous with rich orange-gold highlights on the design high points. The 1 in the date is boldly repunched, while the other numerals slant progressively down to the right.

Equivalent to Texas:4271.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2736.

2656     A selection of octagonal half dollars including Liberty and Indian Head types. Liberty Head I 1870-G BG-922. Rarity-4 (2). MS-60, and AU-58 I 1871-G BG-923. Rarity-6-. MS-63. Indian Head: I 1872 BG-940. Rarity-4. AU-50 I 1873 BG-942. Rarity-5+. AU-58. (Total: 5 pieces)

2657     1871-G Octagonal 50¢. BG-923. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-63. A pleasing example of the variety, this with strong lustre and a hint of prooflike reflectivity. Warm orange highlights on both sides.

From "Quality" Sales Corp.'s sale of the Beck Collection, January 1975, Lot 620.

2658     1871-G Octagonal 50¢. BG-924. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Mirror fields and frosty devices show attractive olive toning highlights. Repunched maker's mark "G" on obverse, 7 in date leans crazily to right. The first of five lovely Mint State examples of this popular variety.

Finer than Texas:4273.

2659     A quartette of Mint State 1871-G octagonal Liberty Head half dollars, all BG-924, a Rarity-3 issue: I MS-63 PL, MS-63 (2), and MS-60. (Total: 4 pieces)

2660     1871-L Octagonal 50¢. BG-927. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-62. Lustrous with some faint hairlines present. Maker's mark "L" nearly touches Liberty's neck, date oddly spaced, with 18 closer than 71.

2661     1874 Octagonal 50¢. BG-930. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-64. Satiny golden orange surfaces. The Blindfolded Liberty variety, so-called owing to an unusual die break that resembles a mask covering Liberty's nose and eye area. Widely spaced date with boldly repunched 7. Reverse denomination as fraction rather than HALF DOLLAR with what Breen called a "huge denominator"; the 2 in the fraction is quite large and stylish.

Finer than Texas:4279.

Important 1876 Octagonal 50¢ Discovery

New Obverse Die

Reverse of BG-932

Currently Unique?

2662     1876 Octagonal 50¢. "BG-932A." Rarity-8. Liberty Head. MS-60. Rich orange highlights on lustrous surfaces that are essentially prooflike in nature. A new obverse die, differing in some ways from that of BG-932, the Baby Head variety, and first described by Harry Bass in his 1972 pedigree notes as: "Not in Lee, new obverse, reverse as 35A." An exciting opportunity for the advanced specialist.

Certain differences exist between the obverse die of BG-932 and the different obverse die seen here (coupled, as it is, with the established reverse of BG-932). For instance, the date numerals on the regular obverse of BG-932 are evenly spaced, with the dentils below impaling the 1, 8, and 7 of the date. On the obverse of the specimen offered here, the date is well away from the dentils, and the 1 and 8 are very closely placed, with a large space between the 8 and the next numeral, the 7. Another difference is found at the sixth obverse star. On the established obverse die of BG-932, that star is attached to the tip of Liberty's coronet; not so on this die. Other subtle differences are seen in the stars as well, most noticeably that certain star points are pierced by dentils on the Breen plate coin, but those same star points are between dentils on the specimen offered here.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2663     1876/6876 Octagonal 50¢. BG-935. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. AU-55 PL. Prooflike surfaces and frosty motifs display olive toning. A pleasing specimen of this improbably dated half dollar. Bold remnants of the erroneously punched 6 can be seen behind the 1 of the date, and the 2 of the reverse fraction is repunched, as are several letters in the legends. A tiny area of deep violet toning is seen near the date.

Purchased from D.R. Pratt, August 1972.

2664     1872/1 Octagonal 50¢. BG-937. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. A highly lustrous piece with deep mirror fields and frosty devices. Die State II, with reverse cud in wreath at 3:00.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2665     1872/1 Octagonal 50¢. BG-937. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63. Warm golden toning highlights on lustrous surfaces. Moderately prooflike. Die State II, reverse cud in a slightly more advanced state than that in the previous lot.

2666     1872 Octagonal 50¢. BG-939. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-62 PL. Reflective fields and frosty motifs form a nice cameo contrast. Large stars and hand-engraved date variety, small L in CAL on reverse. A pretty coin overall.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 774.

2667     1872 Octagonal 50¢. BG-940. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-63. Satiny golden orange surfaces. Die break on obverse at fourth star.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2668     1874/3 Octagonal 50¢. BG-943. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Reflective surfaces and frosty devices show olive toning highlights. Close date rests on border denticles on obverse, with denticles touching or impaling most stars. Reverse with small date and fraction of BG-842.

Finer than Lee:358; Heifetz:305.

2669     A half dozen Indian Head octagonal half dollars: I 1874/3 BG-943. Rarity-5+. MS-63 I 1874 BG-945. Rarity-5. AU-50 I 1875 BG-946. Rarity-4 (2). MS-64, and MS-62 PL I 1876 BG-949. Rarity-5. AU-50 I 1881 BG-956. Rarity-5. MS-63 PL. (Total: 6 pieces)

2670     1874/3 Octagonal 50¢. BG-943. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-61. Olive and rose toning. A final example of this overdate.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2671     1875 Octagonal 50¢. BG-946. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Lovely deep orange toning on mirror fields and frosted design motifs. A near-gem specimen of the Written Date variety. Die State II, base of 8 in date open.

Finer than Texas:4295.

2672     1875 Octagonal 50¢. BG-948. Rarity-6-. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Rich orange toning. A gorgeous coin of deep cameo contrast and outstanding overall quality. Obverse with crude stars and heavy die break from rim to 1 in date, from there to the Indian's bust. Reverse with heavy cud in wreath at right, several other die breaks in evidence there.

2673     1876 Octagonal 50¢. BG-953. Rarity-6. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Attractive olive toning on cameo surfaces. Large date, three highest obverse stars touch denticles on border. A scarce variety, especially when so fine.

Finer than Texas:4301.

2674     1880 Octagonal 50¢. BG-954. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. A lustrous cameo specimen of near-gem quality with rich olive highlights on both sides. One of the "Written Date" varieties, with numerals hand-engraved rather than from punches. Die State I, diamond-shaped berry joins serif of R.

Finer than Texas:4302.

2675     1881 Octagonal 50¢. BG-956. Rarity-5. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. Warm golden orange toning present on both sides. Die State I, leaf tip at upper right side of reverse wreath straight. Reverse crack extends from rim at 9:00 through wreath to DO, then upward to the 2 in the fraction, then back down to the AR.

Finer than Texas:4304.

From Superior's sale of the Ruby Collection, February 1975, Lot 1327.

1881 Indian Head 50¢ Rarity

2676     1881 Octagonal 50¢. BG-957. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. An outstanding cameo of near-gem quality. Warm honey gold toning on frosty motifs and mirror fields. Obverse die of BG-957 paired with reverse die C of BG-958, without CAL effaced from die. The same die state as Texas:4305, where it was noted: "All of the recently auctioned examples of BG-957 (see Lee:369; Heifetz:317; Norweb:1107) have the word CAL mostly effaced from the die. Currently thought to be unique, as no other example has come to light in recent memory." Certainly a few other specimens of this rare die combination have surfaced since 1992, but its rarity probably still exceeds that of the normal BG-957 die combination with effaced CAL on the reverse; that more common variety is currently rated Rarity-6+.

Finer than Texas:4305.

Rare "1868" Octagonal Indian 50¢

BG-960, Low Rarity-7

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2677     1868 Octagonal 50¢. BG-960. Rarity-7-. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Deep yellow gold mirrors support satiny design elements. The Written Date variety, a rare variety that is seldom offered, even less so in this state of preservation. An exceptional coin for the grade.

Equivalent to Texas:4308 (ex Lee:372).

From "Quality" Sales Corp.'s sale of the Beck Collection, January 1975, Lot 618.

Important 1881 Indian Octagonal 50¢

BG-965, High Rarity-6

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2678     1881 Octagonal 50¢. BG-965. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-63. Rich orange-gold iridescence on lustrous surfaces. Young Indian Head style, with arc of stars above and date high beneath bust of Indian. A rare variety that is difficult to locate in any grade.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

Round 50¢ - Period One

2679     1852 Round 50¢. BG-401. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63. Rich and mellow orange toning highlights. A tiny attempted puncture is noted at 12:00 on the obverse. Obverse with 13 stars around a federal-style head of Liberty. The Narrow Head variety, a popular Period One type issue that is difficult to locate in Mint State owing to the fact that its entire mintage was undoubtedly meant to serve as a circulating medium of exchange.

Finer than Texas:4314.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2680     Selection of Period One round half dollars, all Liberty Head: I 1852 BG-401. Rarity-4 (4). AU-58, AU-50, and Net F-12 (2). One AU but hairlined, the other ex jewelry I 1855-FD BG-405. Rarity-6-. MS-60. Variety with maker's mark "FD" on coronet I 1852-DN BG-407. Rarity-5 (2). AU-58, and AU-50 I 1853-DN BG-409. Rarity-4. EF-45. Shattered reverse die I 1853 BG-428. Rarity-3. EF-40 I 1853 BG-430. Rarity-3. AU-50 (2) I 1854 BG-431. Rarity-5+. Net VG-8, but choice EF with heavy reverse scratches. The Empty Wreath variety. (Total: 12 pieces)

2681     1853/2 Round 50¢. BG-409. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. AU-58. Warm rose and pale blue iridescence on orange-gold surfaces. maker's mark "D.N." below Liberty's bust. Die State II, reverse shattered through wreath and NIA GOLD.

Finer than Texas:4321.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 777.

2682     1853/2 Round 50¢. BG-409. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. AU-55 PL. Reflective fields and frosty devices display warm orange highlights. Maker's mark "D.N. below small federal-style bust. Die State I, perfect reverse die. Rare in this die state. Seldom seen in any grade and important as such.

Equivalent to Texas:4321.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2744.

Elusive 1853-GG Round 50¢

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2683     1853-GG Round 50¢. BG-414. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. A glittering prooflike specimen with warm orange toning on both sides. Obverse similar to the federal style gold dollars of the era save for the maker's mark "G.G." (for Gaime, Guillemot & Co.) below the bust, reverse with CALIFORNIA GOLD arced above, date below a wreath, 1/2 DOLLAR in wreath.

Considerably finer than Texas:4325.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

Popular 1853 Round Half Dollar

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2684     1853 Round 50¢. BG-417. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous golden surfaces show some deep orange highlights. Struck from a broken obverse die, with semicircular die crack and rim cud at 8:00; other cracks unite the stars above Liberty's head. This variety was called "Rarity-7+" in the Texas Collection, but specimens have come to light since that sale, causing the decrease in the rarity rating. Still quite scarce, particularly this finely preserved.

Much finer than Texas:4328.

2685     1853-D Round 50¢. BG-421. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous satiny surfaces with some rich orange toning present on both sides. Variety with a dot (or period) within the maker's mark "D" on the obverse. Die State II, from clashed dies.

Significantly finer than Texas:4331.

2686     Five Mint State round Liberty Head half dollars: I 1853-D BG-421. Rarity-5 (2). MS-62, and MS-60 I 1856-N BG-434. Rarity-4. MS-63 PL (3). (Total: 5 pieces)

2687     1854-D Round 50¢. BG-423. Rarity-7-. Liberty Head. AU-55. Plenty of lustre remains on olive-gold surfaces. A rare variety in all grades; indeed, seldom found finer than that offered here. No period in maker's mark "D."

Equivalent to Texas:4333 (ex Norweb, October 1987, Lot 1036).

2688     1853 Round 50¢. BG-428. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-62 PL. Fully mirrored fields with frosty motifs and plenty of eye appeal. A tiny reverse planchet depression is seen in the wreath; this well-hidden mark is noted for accuracy and probably accounts for the assigned grade. A very attractive Liberty Head design type.

Finer than Texas:4336.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 775.

2689     1854 Round 50¢. BG-431. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. AU-58. Lustrous with orange and deep rose iridescence present. The famous "Empty Wreath" variety. The reverse features HALF DOL. CALIFORNIA GOLD around a well-formed wreath, the center of which is devoid of design. As Breen noted: "The 'Empty Wreath' design appears on no other die in the series." Die State I, faint hint of tiny reverse die crack.

Finer than Texas:4339.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

Gem Uncirculated 1855 Round 50¢

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2690     1855 Round 50¢. BG-432. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-65. The lustrous fields of this gem California gold piece are somewhat prooflike and the design motifs are frosted. A scarce issue, one of the Large Head varieties. Lovely for the grade and type.

Finer than Texas:4340.

2691     1856-N Round 50¢. BG-434. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. A lustrous and satiny specimen of near-gem quality with warm olive and pale orange highlights. Sharply struck and choice for the grade. Maker's mark "N" below wreath on reverse.

Significantly finer than Texas:4342.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

Important Mint State 1853

Arms of California 50¢

BG-435, High Rarity-5

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2692     1853 Round 50¢. BG-435. Rarity-5+. Arms of California. MS-63 PL. A lustrous golden specimen of what is easily one of the most important coins in this offering. This variety is much rarer in Mint State than the rarity rating indicates. Condition Census for the variety, and highly important as such. Obverse with 13 stars around, date below a circle with seated Minerva and a bear before a mountain range within the circle. On the reverse, CALIFORNIA GOLD arcs above a circle, HALF DOLLAR curves below; an eagle stands on an olive branch at the center of the circle, clutching a shield in its right talon, and a ribbon in its beak. Nicely struck. One of the focal points of this offering.

Finer than Lee:53; Heifetz:78; Texas:4343.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

A Second Arms of California Round 50¢

BG-435, High Rarity-5

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2693     1853 Round 50¢. BG-435. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. AU-50. Attractive rose and pale violet highlights on lustrous surfaces. Another example of one of the most desirable and attractive design types in the California small denomination series.

Round 50¢ - Period Two

2694     A pair of round Liberty Head half dollars: I 1859 BG-1001. Rarity-7-. Net VF-20; sharpness finer but once mounted, evidence of which is seen at 12:00. Scarce I 1860/56-N BG-1014. Rarity-5. AU-58 for sharpness; a Gothic-style "L" has been engraved on the reverse above the date. (Total: 2 pieces)

2695     1859 Round 50¢. BG-1002. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-63. Frosty orange-gold highlights on lustrous surfaces. Die State I, no cracks or die rust evident on obverse.

Finer than Texas:4346.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2749.

Elusive 1859 Round Half Dollar

BG-1003, Low Rarity-7

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2696     1859 Round 50¢. BG-1003. Rarity-7-. Liberty Head. MS-63. Frosty orange-gold surfaces. Twelve stars around Liberty on the obverse, date and denomination in reverse wreath. Struck from a rusted obverse die. Considered a rarity in all grades.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

Liberty Head Round 50¢ Selection

2697     Selection of round half dollars, all Liberty Head: I 1865 BG-1005. Rarity-5+. MS-60 I 1867 BG-1007. Rarity-5+. MS-63 I 1868 BG-1008. Rarity-5+. Net F-12; AU but with attempted obverse puncture I 1871 BG-1011. Rarity-3. MS-63 PL I 1860/56-N BG-1014. Rarity-5. MS-61 PL. Tiny edge test cut. Struck from a shattered reverse die. Star below wreath over an N maker's mark I 1864 BG-1016. Rarity-5. MS-60 I 1869-G BG-1020. Rarity-4. MS-60 I 1870-G BG-1024. Rarity-4 (2). MS-63, and Net F-15, obverse scratches I 1871-G BG-1025. Rarity-6-. Net VF-30; AU but with heavy hairlines. (Total: 10 pieces)

2698     1866 Round 50¢. BG-1006. Rarity-7-. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous with yellow gold highlights on both sides. The popular 1/2 DOLIAR variety (not a mis-spelling, but rather the result of a weak L punch and an overlapping of the A punch in DOLLAR). Some light planchet laminations are noted on the obverse, as struck. A rare variety.

2699     1867 Round 50¢. BG-1007. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-64. Lustrous olive-gold surfaces. Variety with low date on reverse, high 7 in date; the 2 in the reverse denomination is apparently punched over a 1.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2700     1868 Round 50¢. BG-1008. Rarity-5+. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous with rose toning on the design high points. Obverse with 10 stars around Liberty, berry on reverse appears as a period after the date.

2701     1869 Round 50¢. BG-1009. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-63. Satiny olive-gold surfaces show plenty of lustre and nice overall eye appeal. A scarce variety.

Much finer than Texas:4353.

2702     1870 Round 50¢. BG-1010. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-63. Lustrous olive-gold with rose toning on the high points. One of the DOLIAR reverse varieties.

Equivalent to Texas:4354.

2703     1871 Round 50¢. BG-1011. Rarity-3. Liberty Head. MS-64. Olive-gold with deep orange toning highlights on both sides. From the same obverse die as BG-1010.

Finer than Texas:4355.

2704     1864 Round 50¢. BG-1016. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-62 PL. Highly lustrous with deep orange toning highlights on mirror fields and frosty devices. Die State II, with reverse ribbons on wreath about even in size.

Finer than Texas:4355.

Rare 1866-G Round 50¢

BG-1017, Rarity-7

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2705     1866-G Round 50¢. BG-1017. Rarity-7. Liberty Head. MS-63 PL. Frosted design elements and mirrored fields present a pleasing cameo contrast. The tiny maker's mark "G" is low on the obverse, below the bust of Liberty, and embedded in the denticles there. A late die state; the reverse is heavily shattered, a feature that does not show on the Breen-Gillio plate coin, and probably accounts for the rarity of the die pair. Called: "Apparently unique" in the Breen-Gillio reference, further noted there that: "There is no rumor of a duplicate and no sale record. Doering could find none to illustrate for either edition." A few specimens of this rarity have appeared in the 16 years since the Breen-Gillio treatise, but it is still a very rare item. One of the finest of the variety.

This desirable rarity is one of the few BG varieties that were conspicuous in their absence in our sale of the Texas Collection.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2706     1867-G Round 50¢. BG-1018. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. A pleasing cameo specimen with bright golden lustre on both sides. The variety with the hair bun at the back of Liberty's head separated from her head by excessive die polishing.

Finer than Texas:4361.

Rare 1869-G Round Half Dollar

BG-1021, Low Rarity-7

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2707     1869-G Round 50¢. BG-1021. Rarity-7-. Liberty Head. MS-62. Rich orange toning on lustrous surfaces. A rare variety with perhaps just 15 or so examples known in all grades. Obverse with three loops in Liberty's hair bun.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2708     1870-G Round 50¢. BG-1024. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-64. A lustrous coin of near-gem quality, with attractive olive toning highlights on both sides. The variety without knot, bow, or berries in the reverse wreath.

Much finer than Texas:4367.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2753.

2709     1871-G Round 50¢. BG-1026. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-62. Lovely lustre on brilliant golden surfaces. Stars crowd the date on the obverse.

Finer than Texas:4369.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, Lot 2755.

2710     Eight round half dollars, a nice mix of Liberty and Indian Head varieties: I 1871-G BG-1027. Rarity-4 (2). AU-58, and EF-45 PL I 1871-L BG-1030. Rarity-7-. VF-30. Rare I 1870 Goofy Head BG-1047. Rarity-5. AU-50 I 1872 BG-1048, Rarity-4 (3). MS-60 (2), and AU-55 I 1875/3 BG-1058. Rarity-4. EF-40. (Total: 8 pieces)

2711     1875 Round 50¢. BG-1035. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-64 PL. Intensely prooflike with strong lustre on deeply mirrored fields and frosted devices. Wedge-border style, with denticles that closely resemble the teeth of a circular saw blade; this is the only appearance of the die in the entire series. Liberty's hair is gathered at the back of her portrait in a single huge bun. A lovely specimen of a rare variety, and almost certainly among the finest known examples extant.

Finer than Lee:4377.

From Stack's sale of July 1987, Lot 981.

2712     1876 Round 50¢. BG-1038. Rarity-4. Liberty Head. MS-62 PL. Pale golden orange surfaces. Obverse with date numerals progressively smaller from viewer's left to right.

Finer than Texas:4380.

Elusive 1876 Liberty Head 50¢ Variety

Obverse of BG-1040, Reverse of BG-1036

2713     1876 Round 50¢. BG-1040. Rarity-6+. Liberty Head. AU-58 PL. Satiny motifs and mirror fields exhibit attractive orange-gold toning. A rare variety combining the obverse of BG-1040, one of the rare Baby Head Liberty obverses, with the reverse of BG-1036, a reverse die that is typically found coupled with an Indian Head obverse. While the actual rarity rating for this variety is uncertain, we are comfortable that our Rarity-6+ rating is fairly conservative. The anticipated bidding activity on this lot will no doubt reflect the true rarity of the variety.

Finer than Lee:416; Heifetz:359; Texas:4382.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2714     1871 Round 50¢. BG-1045. Rarity-6-. Liberty Head. MS-63. Frosty orange-gold sufaces. Tiny maker's mark "H" attached to lower side of Liberty's truncation, reverse berries distributed "7X7."

Finer than Lee:421; Texas:4387.

2715     1871-H Round 50¢. BG-1046. Rarity-7-. Liberty Head. EF-45. Still lustrous despite some obvious signs of wear. A rare variety; at the time of our sale of the Texas Collection, only two examples of the die combination were thought to exist. Obverse without serifs on date numerals, Liberty's truncation lined up between two lowest stars. Choice for the grade.

From Pine Tree Auction Co.'s sale of the Weimer Collection, March 1976, Lot 2758.

2716     1872 Round 50¢. BG-1048. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Moderately prooflike golden surfaces. Large Indian Head style. Variety with 13 small stars around the Indian's portrait, large date numerals, 2 in date touching denticles.

2717     1872 Round 50¢. BG-1049. Rarity-5. Indian Head. MS-64. A lustrous near-gem specimen with warm orange on both sides. Sixth obverse star boldly repunched and connected to Indian's headdress. A die crack runs from the rim, between the 1 and 8 of the date, and then to the Indian's portrait.

2718     1873/2 Round 50¢. BG-1050. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. A lustrous specimen with deep golden mirrors and frosty devices forming a pleasing cameo contrast. The Pug Nose variety, so named owing to a prominent die crack that formed a blob of metal at the tip of the Indian's nose. Two dots in the die have been added at the 2 in the date in an effort to change the date to 1873. A popular overdate.

Equivalent to Lee:426; Jay Roe/Heifetz:363; Texas:4392.

From "Quality" Sales Corp.'s sale of the Beck Collection, January 1975, Lot 621.

2719     1873 Round 50¢. BG-1051. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. A glittering golden orange specimen with frosty motifs set against mirror fields. Small Date, tiny period after date. Elusive so finely preserved.

Equivalent to Lee:427; Texas:4393 (ex Sieck, 1981, Lot 2333); finer than Heifetz:1364 and 1365.

2720     1874/3 Round 50¢. BG-1052. Rarity-5. Indian Head. MS-64. Warm golden toning and modest cameo contrast on lustrous surfaces. A sharp example of this popular overdate. Die State I, overdate details plain. A faint obverse die break connects the third star to the Indian's chin.

Finer than Texas:4394.

2721     1874 Round 50¢. BG-1053. Rarity-6+. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. A lovely prooflike Indian half dollar. Olive and pale orange highlights grace the obverse, while the reverse is a deep smoky orange-gold. Nice cameo contrast present on both sides. Large Date variety, plain 4 in date close to star.

Equivalent to Texas:4395.

From Superior's sale of the Ruby Collection, February 1975, Lot 1326.

2722     1874 Round 50¢. BG-1055. Rarity-5. Indian Head. MS-62. Deep orange toning on both sides, some prooflike contrast present as well. Large Date, Crosslet 4 variety.

Purchased from the Goliad Corporation (Mike Brownlee), August 8, 1972.

2723     1875 Round 50¢. BG-1056. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-62. Satiny orange surfaces display subdued lustre. Hollow obverse stars at right, second headdress feather touches sixth star. Crudely finished letters in DOLLAR and many small die breaks on reverse.

Finer than Texas:4398.

Purchased from Ronald J. Gillio, 1975.

2724     1875/3 Round 50¢. BG-1058. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-62. Lustrous olive-gold surfaces display a modicum of prooflike reflectivity. Obverse denticles touch the 1 and 5 in the date. Careful examination under low magnification reveals the remnants of a round-top 3 behind the existing 5 in the date.

From our sale of the Newport Collection, January-February 1975, Lot 783.

2725     A half dozen round Indian Head half dollars: I 1875/3 BG-1058. MS-60 (2) I 1875/6 BG-1059. AU-58 I 1880/70 BG-1067. Rarity-4 (2). MS-63, and MS-62 I 1881 BG-1070. Rarity-6-. EF-45. (Total: 6 pieces)

2726     1876 Round 50¢. BG-1065. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Rich yellow-gold with lively olive highlights on both sides; a lovely cameo contrast is presented as well. An altogether pleasing example of the moderately scarce Small Date variety.

Finer than Texas:4407.

2727     1880/70 Round 50¢. BG-1067. Rarity-4. Indian Head. MS-64 PL. A lustrous prooflike coin of near-gem quality. Deep mirrors and frosted motifs create a lovely cameo effect. Die State I, corner of underlying 7 plain at upper right of second 8 in date.

Much finer than Texas:4409.

2728     1881 Round 50¢. BG-1069. Rarity-5+. Indian Head. MS-63 PL. Heavy cameo contrast and strong lustre are but two of the pleasing attributes of this piece. Die State I, heavy spur down from fourth obverse star. Date spaced as 18 81. A lovely coin for the assigned grade.