| Description: |
Distinctive yellow gold with olive traces on the obverse, and with a hint of bright orange
iridescence on the reverse. An area of planchet darkness is noted at 2:00 on the obverse.
An early auction appearance of this coin was in the March 13, 1882 sale held by John W.
Scott, where an example of this variety was sold as Lot 16. A delightfully prooflike
specimen, with frosty motifs and deeply mirrored fields. A lovely example of a variety
that is typically foundPCGS Population: 6; none finer.Maker: Frontier, Deviercy & Co.,
1853-64.Obverse: Federal style head of Liberty to left, 10 five-pointed stars around,
first four stars between point of Liberty’s bust and tip of coronet. Reverse:
CALIFORNIA. GOLD, separated by a five-pointed star, around a beaded circle, FD beneath the
circle, F broadly repunched. 1, DOLLAR, and date on three lines within circle, 1
apparently from an I punch, DOLL close, L L lean distinctly left, L A R widely spaced, R
leans distinctly left. 185 in date evenly spaced, 55 close, second 5 heavily repunched to
obliterate the underlying 4. Edge: Reeded.Die State I: Heavy obverse polishing beginning
to remove lower portions of Liberty’s portrait, with the bridge of her nose nearly
removed by polishing. |
