Undated (1849-1850) Moran & Clark $10 Die Trial. K-1. Rarity-7+. Copper. Reeded Edge. VF-30 (PCGS).Deep chocolate brown patina with chestnut highlights. The surfaces are glossy in texture and uncommonly smooth for the assigned grade, there being a few faint marks scattered about that are easily overlooked. Centering is nearly perfect on the obverse, the reverse drawn trivially to 7 oclock with scant denticulation along the lower left border. All in all, this is a choice example for the assigned grade that is worthy of the strongest bids.Over the years we have handled only a few copper impressions from these dies, although remarkably two are featured in the present sale. Most were far less appealing than the coin offered here, either due to an off center strike or poor surface preservation. Clearly the present lot represents a fleeting bidding opportunity for the advanced collector of private coinage from the California Gold Rush era.From the Samuel J. Berngard Collection.
