1851 San Francisco State of California $5 Die Trial. K-2, var. Gilt Silver. Reeded Edge. MS-62 (NGC).Lovely bright gold surfaces with razor sharp detail throughout the design. The obverse is double struck, evidence of which is discernible along Libertys profile and around many of the stars. Solidly in the Mint State category with superior eye appeal for the assigned numeric grade.We are pleased to be offering multiple die trials from the enigmatic San Francisco State of California issuer in this sale. Gilt silver impressions from the $5 die are unlisted in the 1981 Kagin reference on private and territorial gold coinage, the K-2 attribution referring to silver pieces with no gilding. We can recall offering only one other gilt example from this issuer, a gilt white metal example of the $2.50 type (K-1b). Rare and sure to see spirited bidding among specialists.From the Samuel J. Berngard Collection. From our Chicago ANA Sale of August 2015, lot 10302.
