952

[L#0952] 1852 Assay Office $50 887 NGC AU58

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:21,000.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 35,000.01 USD
[L#0952] 1852 Assay Office $50 887 NGC AU58
Breen-7709. A great deal of luster remains on this well preserved specimen. The usual scattered abrasion from circulation still leaves most of the outer legend plainly readable: UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA 1852. No problems at the eight corners, all of which are nicely formed. The Assay Office pieces were struck in 887 THOUS gold (this piece) or, only in 1851, sometimes 880 THOUS fineness. Sharp eagle; interesting "engine-turned" design on the reverse, which is otherwise left unadorned on this historic $50 piece. At the time, and to slide by the legalities of private mints, large gold pieces such as this were referred to in the documents as "ingots," although publicly they were called "slugs."