Lot 1817
1855 Quarter Dollar Round Liberty. Breen and Gillio-226. Rarity 5. PCGS graded MS-63. Untoned. Ten obverse stars. In the date, the last 5 is high; 9 berries in wreath. Private banking and assaying firms stepped in to supply coins from 1849 to 1851 during the early years of the California gold rush; however, their lowest issues were valued at five dollars, and the demand for small coins intensified as business boomed. Therefore, in 1852, this need was met by a handful of jewelers in San Francisco, who began striking small gold pieces valued at one dollar, one half dollar and one quarter dollar. Though the intrinsic values of these coins fluctuated somewhat, they were usually close enough that the inflated boom economy of California neutralized whatever slight loss may have been suffered by those accepting them in trade. Their advantages simply outweighed their disadvantages, and the coins appear to have gained acceptance, as quite a number survive in worn condition. Pop 10; 4 finer in 64. Die State II (PCGS # 10411) .
Estimated Value $500 - 550.
Ex: Al Blythe Collection.
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| Realized $345 |
