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Augustus Humbert Slug 2012aug - Numismatic

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Augustus Humbert Slug 2012aug - Numismatic
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In January, 1851 the U.S. Assay Office in San Francisco awarded the coining contract to Moffat & Co. and assasyer Augustus Humbert, formerly a New York watchcase maker, begin striking coins. Only $50 "slugs" or ingots were authorized at the assay office, but they were readily accepted in the frenzied California Gold Rush. "When the new official gold coins were issued, they provided the citizens with a universally accepted medium of exchange. As a result, most of the private gold coins in circulation were brought to the United States Assay Office and remade into new coins at their intrinsic gold value of $20.64 an ounce." [Kagin, "Private Gold coins and Patterns of the United States," pg. 89]. One of three reeded edge varieties, this example is a Kagin 5, 1851 Fifty Dolls, 880 thous. "Target" Reverse. Uncertified due to the smoothing and repair of several rim knicks on the corner edges. Obverse lettering intact with underlying luster, strong strike but cleaned. The reverse has two minor nicks with some central reworking evident. This slug even with some problems has good eye appeal and full lettering. Kagin cites this issue a low R5 rarity. A similar piece sold at a Bonham's auction in September 2011 for $22,230 including premium.

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