2013 April Treasures & Tribes Auction

1853 The only octagonal quarter dollar issued by Joseph Brothers, the first firm to make California 25¢ and 50¢ gold pieces, according to ...

1853 This series is made of bright gold plated over a baser core, revealed on this specimen by the surface beginning to peel away on both sides. It is

1853 Jack Totheroh accepted the challenge of collecting small California gold not only by die marriage (the BG number), but also by differences in the

1853 Issued by Frontier, Deviercy Co., successor to Joseph Brothers’ coining business in 1853. Born in Tournus, Saône-et-Loire, France, Oct. 3...

1854 By Frontier, Deviercy Co. Same obverse as previous, simplified reverse with DOLLAR in straight line, though letter spacing is a little irregular

1854 Also by Frontier, Deviercy Co. Similar design, but with 5 obverse stars. A beautiful example, obverse reflective; mottled toning on reverse. PCG

1854 Jack Totheroh probably noticed slight differences between this and the preceding lot. Prooflike Brilliant Uncirculated. Certified as PCGS MS63. E

c1855 By Frontier, Deviercy Co. Same head, but back to 4 stars/reverse of previous, reground and repunched, with date altered to 1855--indicating it

1855 With linear marks on reverse, apparently from rolling of planchet strip. Prooflike Brilliant Uncirculated, with attractive reddish toning on obve

1856 For the first time on ¼ Dollars, Frontier, Deviercy Co. took credit for their coins by adding the initials FD to Miss Liberty’s coronet, ...

1856 Prooflike Brilliant Uncirculated, fresh and flashy! PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703028 Totheroh Collection HKA#63320

1854 By Antoine Louis Nouizillet, another major issuer of small California gold coins from 1852 to 1858. He is first listed in the San Francisco city

1854 With die breaks progressing to connect DO in DOL. Light reddish toning with bluish highlights. PCGS AU55. Serial# 06351314 Totheroh Collection H

1854 With die breaks more advanced (DOL connected at base). Highly lustrous. PCGS MS61. Serial# 26703029 Totheroh Collection HKA#63323

1854 By Nouizillet; same obverse, new reverse die with DOLLAR spelled out. Scarce (High Rarity 5 in Breen-Gillio, though Jack Totheroh felt that this

1855 Nouizillet made new dies for both sides of this variety, advancing to 12 stars around the head. Needle-sharp, highly polished Prooflike Brilliant

1855 Dark toning, giving it a matte finish, and not as sharply struck as previous lot. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703033 Totheroh Collection HKA#63328

1856 An original issue, certainly minted in 1856. When the S.S. Central America sank Sept. 12, 1857 (passengers boarded the S.S. Sonora in San Francis

1856 Very shiny. PCGS Genuine (Cleaning -- UNC Details). Serial# 26703035 Totheroh Collection HKA#63330

c1858-60 This and the next are probably restrikes of the 1858-1860 period. Prooflike Brilliant Uncirculated, few tiny marks. PCGS MS62. Serial# 267030

1856 Choice Brilliant Uncirculated; PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703037 Totheroh Collection HKA#63332

1853 The earliest California gold ¼ Dollar; this type or the next was noticed by the Sacramento Daily Union, April 29, 1853, as having "la...

1853 Same obverse die as preceding, similar reverse with small flat bow on wreath (die clash on both obverse and reverse). Also by Joseph Brothers. Ve

1853 Similar obverse, but with only 12 stars, denomination changed to ¼ DOLLAR. A fine example of Joseph Brothers’ work. Very Rare. Sharply str...

1853 Reverse dent; lustrous with hints of blue toning. PCGS MS61. Serial# 26703041 Totheroh Collection HKA#63336

1853 Same obverse, reverse reads ¼ DOLL. (only Period One coin with this spelling--an attempt by Joseph Brothers to speed up die production? At...

1853 Same obverse, crude reverse with round bow to wreath. Maker uncertain, probably either Joseph Brothers (their obverse die) or successor firm Fron

1853 Similar obverse, star crowded under bust truncation, stars above and below denomination. Joseph Brothers’ work. Very Rare. Brilliant Uncirculated

1853 Bright gold color, few faint scratches on reverse. PCGS MS61. Die state designations not noted in prior sales histories. Serial# 26703043 Tothero

1853 Obverse with 10 stars, star above denomination. Another Joseph Brothers’ product. Very Scarce (Jack Totheroh considered Rare). Pristine Brilliant

1853 Obverse of BG-206, repolished, reverse die of BG-205. Struck from two Joseph Brothers’ dies. Rare. Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, attractive red,

1853 Flat strike on hair (unrecorded Die State?). Rare. Lovely Brilliant Uncirculated, tiny spot on cheek, bluish toning around devices, chiefly on re

1853 (Since 1979, this coin has resided in only two collections!) Plate Coin, second edition, Breen-Gillio, California Pioneer Fractional Gold. Deep i

1853 Obverse as BG-207, before repolishing (BG-208 should have been given a lower BG number), dated reverse (flat top 3). The last round ¼ Doll...

1853 Issued by Frontier, Deviercy Co., successor to Joseph Brothers’ coining business in 1853. Similar small Liberty head, 10 stars around, amateuris

c1853 Experimental broad Liberty head, 11 stars around (several with 7 points, unlike any other variety known from Period One), 2nd star repunched wit

1853 Large Liberty head, smaller than the broad head type, signed below truncation of bust (always weak and incomplete), 11 stars around; blundered re

1853 Similar large Liberty head, but lower curl ends in ringlet, 13 large stars; reverse of BG-208. Extremely Rare: only 11 recorded specimens, certai

1853 Same head, plain rim, 13 small stars; similar reverse but date high and to left (3 between LA), 8 double punched. By Frontier, Deviercy Co., tho

1853 Largest Liberty head, 13 stars; date curved (8 away from bow). Another Frontier, Deviercy Co. Product. Recut 4. Extremely Rare: 14 recorded exam

1853 Same obverse; similar reverse, but 8 touches bow. Also by Frontier Deviercy. Extremely Rare: 12 recorded examples, one of which is holed, and pr

1854 Same obverse die as BG-215, reground; fragmented wreath with date in straight line. By Frontier Deviercy. Very Rare. Flashy Prooflike Choice Bri

1854 Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, obverse Prooflike. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703054 Totheroh Collection HKA#63382

1853 Struck by Frontier, Deviercy Co. for the French jewelers Gaime, Guillemot Co., Montgomery Street, San Francisco. While Jay Roe considered the e

1853 Obverse of BG-217, date off center to right (3 below A). Extremely Rare; 10 recorded specimens in Breen-Gillio 2003, perhaps including duplicatio

1853 Similar obverse, 3rd star close to tip of nose, upper part of head weak; 8 directly below 1st L on reverse. Extremely Rare: 12 recorded specimens

1853 By Antoine Louis Nouizillet. Like Frontier, Deviercy Co., he made both octagonal and round pieces. Small Liberty head, 11 stars around; ¼...

1853 Sharply struck, pristine Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS62. There are no sales records of different die states. Serial# 26703058 Totheroh Collect

1853 Though nominally the same die state as Lot 048, there are differences in die progression; specialists should examine these lots closely. Well str

1853 Another issue absolutely certain to have been made in 1853; two examples were recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Winfield Scott, which sailed D

1853 Sharp, lustrous Brilliant Uncirculated, thin scratch on cheek. PCGS MS62. Ex Bowers and Merena Blevins 6-7-85, Lot 7188. This is the first occura

1853 Sharply struck, frosty, Gem Brilliant Uncirculated--a perfect Type coin! PCGS MS65. Serial# 26703060 Totheroh Collection HKA#63492

1853 Razor-sharp strike, Brilliant; reddish patina in fields gives almost a cameo effect. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703062 Totheroh Collection HKA#63493

c1853-4 Same head, still with 12 stars, one touching bust point; same reverse die, but heavier cracks. Another Nouizillet issue. Frosty Choice Brillia

c1853-4 Frosty Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, light scratch on cheek. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703064 Totheroh Collection HKA#63495

c1854 Same obverse. ¼ DOLLAR with no star, 7 berries on each branch. By Nouizillet. Uncirculated with reddish toning, blue highlights around de...

1854 Attractive gold color, die crack somewhat obscured by holder. PCGS Genuine (Cleaning -- UNC Details). Serial# 26703068 Totheroh Collection HKA#6

1854 Brilliant Uncirculated, sharply struck reverse, slightly bowed. PCGS MS62. Serial# 26703067 Totheroh Collection HKA#63499

1854 Choice Uncirculated, attractive reddish and blue toning in fields, few faint scratches and light deposits. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703065 Totheroh C

1854 Uncirculated, even gold color, adhesion at left inner berry above D. PCGS MS62. Serial# 26703071 Totheroh Collection HKA#63501

1854 Brilliant Uncirculated, die crack at 8:30 covered by holder (see photograph). PCGS MS62+. Serial# 26703069 Totheroh Collection HKA#63502

1854 Untoned Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, obverse Prooflike. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703070 Totheroh Collection HKA#63503

1855 Same head, just 10 stars around, 7th nearest upper loop of bun; date below denomination, last 5 too high. The first dated Nouizillet round ...

1855 Same head, 10 stars, 7th midway between two loops of bun; same reverse die. One of the worst Nouizillet productions in terms of quality, with the

c1855 Fresh Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS62. Serial# 04966935 Totheroh Collection HKA#63506

1855 Brilliant Uncirculated, hint of reddish toning. PCGS MS61. Serial# 05454515 Totheroh Collection HKA#63507

1855 Similar 10-star obverse, but 7th star nearest lower loop of bun, 8 pearls on coronet; 55 in date low. By Nouizillet. Rare. Flashy Brilliant Uncir

1855 Untoned Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS62. Serial# 26703075 Totheroh Collection HKA#63509

1855 Obverse of BG-226A ground down, Liberty head and most stars repunched, 9 pearls on coronet, normal nose; same reverse die as BG-227A, shattered.

1855 Prooflike; highly lustrous with reflective fields and frosty devices. PCGS MS63. Ex Bowers and Merena Bass 5/7-9/1999, Lot 2579, ex Harry W. Bass

1855 Prooflike Choice Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703076 Totheroh Collection HKA#63512

1856 Same obverse as BG-227, further repolished; R punched too high, then corrected. Another Nouizillet production. Extremely Rare; a mere 11 recorded

1856 One was presented to the British Museum in September 1857 by Mr. Thomas Alcock, proof of Period One origin of this type. Same obverse die as BG-2

1856 Prooflike Brilliant Uncirculated, reddish patina reverse rim. PCGS MS62. Serial# 26703081 Totheroh Collection HKA#63515

1856 Same head, 12 stars around; same reverse die, but so overpolished that fraction bar is almost obliterated. Also by Nouizillet. Appearance of bril

1856 Flashy Choice Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS63. The segregation of die states of BG-230 are not found in Totheroh's notes. Serial# 2670308...

1856 Choice Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703084 Totheroh Collection HKA#63518

1856 Beautiful Cameo Prooflike Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, red and purple patina in fields both sides. PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703085 Totheroh Collect

1853 Proudly signed by Frontier, Deviercy Co., this coin has a large head with F.D. below and 13 stars around; the reverse presents an eagle with shi

1853 Known to have been issued in the year dated: three were recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Winfield Scott, which sailed December 1, 1853, of wh

1853 Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, sharply struck feathers on eagle, bluish toning around periphery of reverse, some green deposits at left obverse.

1853 Similar, FD and date below head (both very weak), only 10 stars around; same reverse die, but with double punching at 50 and T polished off. Alre

1853 Same obverse die, repolished; reverse CALIFORNIA . GOLD . around 1 (over) 2 (over) DOLLAR in beaded circle, 2 stars below. The eagle has flown aw

1854 Same head, date below, 10 stars around, 5th star normal size and pointing towards rim, 2nd star normal, 1 of 1854 virtually touching bust, no rus

1854 Same head, date below, 11 stars around, inverted 8 in date; same reverse die. Also by Frontier Deviercy. Discovered by Jack Totheroh in 1991; or

1854 Same head, date below, only 9 stars around; same reverse die. (After the immediate failures of the two preceding obverses with 10 and 11 stars, F

1854 Bright gold color, reverse prooflike, reverse cladding cracked on reverse. PCGS Genuine (Cleaning -- AU Details). Serial# 26703316 Totheroh Colle

1854 Same head, date below, 10 5-pointed stars around, 2nd star double punched (looks 6-pointed), 5th star small and pointing up, 1 of 1854 away from

1854 Prooflike Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS62. Serial# 26703318 Totheroh Collection HKA#63530

1854 Gorgeous frosty Very Choice Brilliant Uncirculated. PCGS MS64. Serial# 26703319 Totheroh Collection HKA#63531

1856 Same head, 13 larger 5-pointed stars around; star below date. Another Frontier Deviercy product, from new dies. Rare. Frosty Very Choice Brillia

1856 Very Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, obverse Prooflike. PCGS MS64. A second high-grade example. Serial# 26703322 Totheroh Collection HKA#63533

1854 An example of this type was mailed by California gold miner Jacob D. Brown to his sister Leah in Joliet, Illinois, probably in 1854 or shortly th

1855 Larger Liberty head, 13 stars; similar reverse dated 1855, no star, signed N. for Nouizillet. Rare. Lustrous Uncirculated. PCGS MS61. The Roe spe

c1855 Reddish toning, hint of violet at left reverse, gold color showing on high spots. PCGS AU55. Serial# 26703325 Totheroh Collection HKA#63537

c1855 Sharply struck Choice Brilliant Uncirculated--a candidate for Finest Known! PCGS MS63. Serial# 26703326 Totheroh Collection HKA#63538

1856 Same obverse die; similar reverse but for date, N. moved to between ribbons, 4 pairs of berries on left branch, 5 pairs on right. Another signed

1856 Flashy gold color, light toning around letters on reverse. PCGS AU58. Serial# 26703329 Totheroh Collection HKA#63540

1856 Altered on reverse after striking, thus declared Authenticity Unverifiable by PCGS and not certified. The date has been completely removed from t

1856 Prooflike, with lovely reddish toning, bluish highlights around stars and letters. PCGS AU58. Serial# 26703330 Totheroh Collection HKA#63542