| Description: |
Intense, vibrant orange iridescence and high degree of lustre on satiny motifs and deeply
mirrored fields. Nicely struck and aesthetically appealing, the way a gem quality specimen
should be! This exact type was first published and described by Robert H. Burnie in 1955.
A rare and desirable back-dated issue, with the present specimen among the finest
certified by PCGS. Definitely a prize for an advanced specialist.PCGS Population: 6; none
finer. Maker: Christopher Ferdinand Mohrig, San Francisco, 1872-76.Obverse: Large Indian
head, six five-pointed stars before the portrait, seven five-pointed stars behind the
portrait, date below. 1 of date touches bust above and dentils below, apparently
repunched. 852 touch the dentils below, 85 wide, 52 close, hair touches tops of 52.
Additional, star nine is attached to a feather in the headdress. Reverse C: Open topped
wreath with single leaves at end, tips of leaves curve upward and outward. Eleven berries
on each side of wreath. Fraction and DOLLAR within wreath, short fraction bar, numerals
large and nicely formed, DOLLAR nicely formed and uniformly spaced. Edge: Plain.As noted
by Bob Leonard in the second edition of California Pioneer Fractional Gold, "in 1876
two series were produced: one with CAL for sale as California souvenirs, and one with CAL
for sale outside California, chiefly in the East and Midwest.” He goes on to note
"thereafter, the CAL was discontinued. The No CAL series also included back-dated
pieces to provide additional varieties for sale to date collectors, or to hide the fact
that illegal striking was continuing. The entire No CAL group dates to 1876-81 despite
containing varieties dated earlier. Previous collectors have found them difficult not only
because many are rare but also because previous attempts at classification have been
needlessly muddled by repeated misdescriptions of the same reverses (reground, or with die
cracks, or "ghosts” obscuring berries) as different dies, and failure to realize
that many coins are back-dated.” |
