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1850 $5 Mormon Five Dollar XF45 PCGS. K-5, High R

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:14,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1850 $5 Mormon Five Dollar XF45 PCGS. K-5, High R
<B>1850<$5> Mormon Five Dollar XF45 PCGS.</B></I> K-5, High R.5. Similar in designs to the 1849 issue half eagle, but the obverse die has an additional halo or crown over the eye, below the three pointed hat. Nine stars surround the central devices, and the eye is clearly defined. On the reverse, no period is seen after FIVE, and the hands are shaped differently than seen on the prior 1849 die. These $5 gold coins suffered from the same commercial rejection as their smaller brothers, once it was discovered that they were light in weight and debased in fineness, few merchants would accept them even at a discount. Most were melted and recoined by other private minters or even the San Francisco Mint after it opened for business in 1854. The handful of these that did survive were likely saved by Mormon's as keepsakes of this historic time. Bright yellow-gold in color and carefully impressed by the dies, with full and complete details. Population: 14 in 45, 26 finer (6/05).<BR>The members of the Mormon church sought seclusion from other religions. America offered wide open spaces where religious groups could attend to their spiritual beliefs without interference, and our history is rich from these diverse peoples coming from various parts of the world to live in America. The Mormon's sought freedom from persecution and moved to the Utah Territory and founded Salt Lake City. There they flourished and remain a dominant force in that area today. Many spent time in California seeking gold or supporting the miners, and because of their proximity to San Francisco and the gold fields, this was a natural outcome. These historic coins have always been popular with Territorial gold collectors, and despite the debased reputation, have become highly collectible. Listed on page 308 of the 2005 <I>Guide Book.</B></I><BR><I>From The Great Western Collection of Territorial Gold.</B></I>