1851 "887" $50 RE Augustus Humbert MS(PCGS#10214)

March 2020 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3293

Grade

F12

Price

18,600

Lot Description

Another Historic 1851 Humbert Slug 1851 Augustus Humbert $50. Reeded Edge. K-6. Rarity-4. 887 THOUS., Target Reverse. Fine-12 (PCGS). CAC. This is a warmly patinated, olive-gold example with glints of pale rose iridescence also flashing into view as the obverse rotates under a light. An intriguing piece in terms of wear, the lower left obverse periphery is smooth with both the date and Augustus Humbert's name no longer visible. The inscription UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD confirms this as a Humbert piece (as opposed to a $50 "slug" from the United States Assay Office of Gold), and the position of the letter S in DOLLS relative to the right base of the eagle's rock identifies the date as 1851 and not 1852. Much of the reverse periphery is also worn smooth, but the target motif is fully appreciable. On the obverse, all major central design elements are discernible, although the words UNITED and FIFTY and somewhat faint. Edge bumps, surface marks and other signs of considerable commercial use are commensurate with the assigned grade for a $50 from Gold Rush California. More than acceptable equality for this scarce and eagerly sought type that is sure to find many willing buyers in today's market. PCGS# 10214. Click here for certification details from PCGS.