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

The Regency Auction 41

拍卖行

Legend Rare Coin Auctions

批号

460

等级

XF40

价格

247,356

详细说明

We just love these hefty Territorial gold coins! If there was a single coin that could be used to personify the Gold Rush era, the $50 Humbert "slugs" would certainly be a contender for the honor. Containing a massive weight of nearly 2.5 ounces, these $50 "ingots" circulated extensively in the far west economy, and XF coins are about as fine as the majority of collectors can ever hope to own. Pleasing, rich golden color is original, showing deeper olive-green hues mixed in with the orange gold. Showing good definition on both sides despite the wear, the lettering around the edge is only slightly soft in areas but the central devices are crisp. The glossy surfaces show some contact, including a rim bump or two, but these are unobtrusive and have no impact on the overall visual allure. Perennially popular among collectors, these “ingots" or “slugs" were struck in the U.S. Assay office in San Francisco, under the direction of Augustus Humbert. His mint operated for several years before the Federal government took over operations and eventually in 1854 opened as the official branch mint in San Francisco. Because of his reputation for honesty, Humbert’s operations put out of business many of the other assaying and minting firms that opened after the discovery of gold in California. Indeed, these “slugs" were so well received in “old west" commerce, even after the official branch mint at San Francisco poured federal issue gold coins into commercial streams, they were still widely circulated. This one is a Kagin-6 variety, which is considered to be R-4. PCGS 20, NGC 3, CAC 3. The last two CAC-approved examples to sell were PCGS-graded, realizing $39,950 and $38,775 in 2016. Even a non-CAC NGC coin sold for $30,550 in the 2016 ANA auction. The current CAC CPG value is $44,800 and the Collectors Universe value is $39,500. Rare any finer, this is a very pleasing example for type and will see strong bidding. Good luck! Cert. Number 1874708-001 PCGS # 10214.00