1853-FD Octagonal 50 Cents. BG-301. Rarity-7-. Liberty Head / "Humbert" Eagle. MS-62 (NGC).A highly regarded rarity in the California Small Denomination gold series, represented here by a gorgeous bright golden-honey example. Universally reflective in finish, both sides are also sharply struck throughout. The in hand appearance is uncommonly smooth for the assigned grade, the eye appeal also superior at the BU level of preservation. Dies by Frontier, DeViercy and Co., with the broad style head on the obverse surrounded by thirteen stars, small F.D. below truncation. The reverse is an elegant yet miniature rendering of the Humbert $50 gold slug eagle, perched on a branch with wings uplifted and beak open facing right, the tilted shield with one of the eagles claw surmounted, the flowing ribbon above. Above the eagle is the inscription CALIFORNIA GOLD, below the date 1853 which divides the denomination FIFTY CENTS. The lettering is somewhat crude and unevenly engraved into the die, and this was clearly an early effort by the engraver who shows lack of experience through mispunching letters and uneven spacing. Nevertheless, capturing the incredible depth and beauty of the Humbert eagle is a triumph of engraving, especially so on such a tiny package and one wonders if the primary device was engraved by a more senior member of the staff, while the less important lettering was done by someone else.<p>This has been a "must have" variety for enthusiasts of California Small Denomination gold, its rarity long known. PCGS for all its years of certification has graded a total of only five examples, as follows: 62, 61, 60, 58 and 58. The present example is the only one seen of this variety by NGC. The 2003 edition of <em>California Pioneer Fractional Gold</em> by Walter Breen and Ron Gillio list more than a dozen appearances of this variety, but no attempt has been made to count the actual number known with multiple appearances by the same specimen noted separately in their listing. Our records confirm offerings of just two examples: September 2003 as part of the famous Jay Roe Collection, that example of the BG-301 variety was graded AU-58 by PCGS and realized $14,375; August 2012 Philadelphia ANA Auction, PCGS MS-60, which realized $28,200 as lot 11815. No others have appeared at auction unless they were cleaned or damaged coins. With examples appearing at auction only once in a long while, the significance of this offering for the specialist can hardly be overstated.
