Lot 2853
1854 Kellogg & Co. (San Francisco) $20 Gold. PCGS graded AU-53. A nice sharp strike with the usual assortment of light contact marks. Struck in natural greenish color gold. Unrivaled in terms of exterior presentation, both sides of this golden beauty are well frosted and for all intents and purposes tone-free. So much, then, for the surface originality. As for the devices themselves, these were struck with sufficient power by the Territorial dies that they left all design elements showing, and showing clearly, unlike many early California pieces where a few areas mushy. If you are looking to buy just one historic gold coin from this era in our history, the present Kellogg & Company $20 gold piece should prove an ideal selection. Pop 13; 30 finer (PCGS # 10222) .
John Glover Kellogg and G. F. Richter were, respectively, cashier and assayer of Moffat & Co., before and during the subcontract linking that firm with Augustus Humbert's U.S. Assay Office (the Provisional Branch Mint). On the same day that the latter dissolved, Dec. 14, 1853, Kellogg and Richter opened their own assaying establishment in response to urgent requests from local bankers. The pair had struck $20 gold pieces in 1854 and 1855.
Many high-grade survivors dated 1854 come from the Thayer County hoard. This consisted of 58 pieces found by two boys in the woods near Alexandria, Nebraska in 1907. Supposedly two ranchers, Bennett and Abernathy, hid them there in 1867, while vainly trying to escape hostile Indians. Plans by Kellogg & Company to issue a $50 coin went as far as striking about 12 Proof samples.
Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,500.
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| Realized $7,475 |
