1855 G50C BG-432 MS(PCGS#10468)

August 2021 ANA U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

6376

Grade

MS63

Price

384

Lot Description

1855 Round 50 Cents. BG-432. Rarity-5. Liberty Head. MS-63 (PCGS). A bright golden-olive example with modestly reflective fields and satiny, smartly impressed design elements. Of this interesting variety, Bob Leonard writes in the 2003 edition of the Breen-Gillio reference on California small denomination gold: "This reverse is one of the rare instances of a die actually used, then resoftened, altered, rehardened and returned to press (the Philadelphia Mint last did so in 1806 on quarter eagles, half and quarter dollars, even then only because the engraver had almost exhausted his supply of die steel). As with the 1806/5 quarter eagle die, this reverse shows the same cracks as in its previous use, here far more extended; its life thereafter was measure in hours." The advanced reverse die state undoubtedly explains the scarcity of BG-432 examples. Provenance: From the Oregon Collection. PCGS Population: 10; 8 finer (MS-65 finest). PCGS# 10468. NGC ID: 2BKP. Click here for certification details from PCGS.