1872 Round $1. BG-1208. Rarity-6-. Indian Head. MS-63 (PCGS).Outstanding Choice Mint State quality for this elusive type. Prooflike in finish, the olive-orange surfaces exhibit pleasing contrast between mirrored fields and satiny devices. BG-1208 is the only entry in the California small denomination gold series that includes the word TOKEN as part of the design. This word was most likely added in reaction to the arrest of makers Heshfeld and Mitchell in August 1871 for violating the Private Coinages Act of June 8, 1864. Eventually, the prosecution was abandoned and business returned to normal, as evidenced by the large number of varieties issued between 1871 and 1883. Thus, this piece, in addition to its rarity, has special appeal to collectors of this series due to its interesting backstory.PCGS Population: 7; 2 finer (both MS-64).
