1851亨伯特八边形金币 PCGS MS 64
1851 Augustus Humbert $50. Reeded Edge. K-7. Rarity-7. 887 THOUS., Target Reverse. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC.This extraordinary coin ranks among the finest Humbert fifty-dollar gold pieces of any issue or variety. The surfaces display flashy luster and bright lemon-yellow color with warmer shades around the devices. The strike is exceptional, with incredible definition to the beaded circle and the eagles feathers on the obverse. Minor die rust in the obverse fields is as-made and alludes to the resourcefulness demanded of a provisional mint operating under overwhelming demand. The reverse is also incredibly sharp, with virtually full distinction to the rings of the inner circle.
Smooth, semi-reflective reverse fields set off the frosty texture and incredible delineation of the design elements. Undoubtedly near the top of the condition census, it is the sole finest graded by PCGS and approved by CAC for the Reeded Edge, 887 THOUS. type. It would serve as the centerpiece to even the most accomplished cabinet or PCGS Registry Set of Territorial gold. It is virtually unrivaled in both execution and preservation.
James Wilson Marshalls discovery of gold in Californias American River on January 24, 1848, kicked off one of the largest, and certainly the most romanticized gold rush in United States history. As news of this discovery spread, 300,000 people from both the Eastern United States and abroad would eventually make their way to California seeking wealth and prosperity. Some did strike it rich, although the majority bettered themselves little, either financially or otherwise. The close proximity of San Francisco to the gold fields made it an attractive port of entry for those arriving in California by sea, and also as an outfitting center and base of operations for gold seekers. A small settlement of 200 inhabitants in 1846, San Francisco grew into a city of 36,000 people by 1852.
As early as 1849 proposals were introduced both in the California Legislature and United States Congress calling for the establishment of an assay office or branch mint in California. To meet the immediate economic needs of the Gold Rush era while final action on the part of the state and/or federal government was awaited, various private minting firms sprang up in and around San Francisco. The firm of Moffat & Co., however, became the most important private minter serving California; its successors Curtis, Perry and Ward eventually sold their coinage facility to the United States government, which reopened it as the San Francisco Mint in March 1854.<p>While still under the auspices of Moffat & Co., the firms reputation caught the eye of the federal government when the latter was finally able to take action in the establishment of a local coinage facility.
A bill passed through Congress on September 30, 1850, established the United States Assay Office, to be located in San Francisco. Moffat & Co. received the contract to operate as the United States Assay Office, with New York watchmaker Augustus Humbert appointed as United States Assayer. Humbert arrived in San Francisco on January 30, 1851, bringing with him the first dies for coinage that had been prepared by Charles C. Wright. The first coins -- $50 gold pieces -- were issued under Humberts authority the following day, with ingots following on February 14. The United States Assay Office continued to operate with these principals until the dissolution of Moffat & Co. in early 1852, after which the federal contract was assumed by Curtis, Perry & Ward under the name of the United States Assay Office of Gold. Humbert remained as assayer under the successor firm until it ceased operations on December 14, 1853, in preparation for the opening of the San Francisco Mint.<p>This rare and beautiful Choice Mint State coin from Humberts first year as assayer offers the advanced collector with an important opportunity to own one of the most impressive mementos of this era in United States frontier history.PCGS# 10214.PCGS Population: 1; none finer. CAC Population: 1; none finer.From Henry Chapmans sale of the A.C. Nygren Collection, April 1924, lot 68; Elmer Sears, who purchased it for $370 from the Nygren Collection sale.
