3419

1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS68 S NGC. Shortly after the discov 1848[$2 1/2] CAL. MS68 [S NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:22,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS68 S NGC. Shortly after the discov 1848[$2 1/2] CAL. MS68 [S NGC.
<B>1848<$2 1/2> CAL. MS68 <S NGC.</B></I> Shortly after the discovery of gold in the American River region of California, some 228 ounces of Gold Rush bullion was sent by California's military governor, Colonel R.B. Mason, to Secretary of War William Learned Marcy. This was the first shipment east from the west coast's rich deposits. Marcy in turn sent the gold ore to Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson at the Philadelphia Mint, where it was received on December 8 and was assayed at an average .894 fine. Marcy urged that, "As many may desire to procure specimens of coin made of the California gold, by exchanging other coin for it, I would suggest that it be made into quarter eagles with a distinguishing mark on each..." After enough gold had been taken from the shipment to strike Congressionally-authorized medals for Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield "Old Fuss and Feathers" Scott, the remainder was converted into quarter eagles, and as Marcy had suggested one distinguishing feature was added to each coin: the abbreviation CAL. was impressed into the reverse above the eagle. It is believed that enough gold bullion was left after the gold was extracted for the medals to strike 1,389 quarter eagles with the CAL. imprint.<BR> It is not known how many citizens actually did exchange other coins for these commemorative quarter eagles as Secretary Marcy suggested. However, the number could not have been very large, probably no more than a couple dozen pieces, as most CAL. quarter eagles are found well circulated and Mint State specimens are very rare. NGC and PCGS have certified fewer than 50 Mint State examples, but many of these are likely resubmissions.<BR> The coin offered in this lot displays semi-prooflike fields, as is the case with most of the high grade pieces we have seen or know of. Pronounced die striations are visible in the fields, which, of course, account for this reflectivity. Both sides yield an even yellow-gold patination. The design elements are sharply defined, except for softness in the hair curls beneath Liberty's ear, and in the eagle's neck and right (left facing) leg feathers. These are common areas of softness on all 1848 quarter eagles. The only abrasions of any note that can be used as pedigree identifiers are a series of tiny marks to the right of star 4. It is of little wonder that this particular coin was assigned the coveted Star designation.<BR> This is a very rare opportunity to acquire this classic American rarity in the finest condition obtainable on the market today. Census: 1 in 68 <S, 0 finer (11/05).<BR><I>From The Clausen Family Collection.</B></I>