1854 Octagonal $1. BG-504. Rarity-5-. Liberty Head, "Humbert" Eagle Reverse. MS-63 (PCGS). This is a smartly impressed, overall sharply defined example of one of the most eagerly sought types in the California small denomination gold series. Modestly prooflike in finish, the fields are semi-reflective and contrast appreciably with satiny devices. Bright olive-orange patina is seen throughout, with a touch of silvery tinting on the reverse. BG-504 features a reverse design that closely resembles the eagle used on Augustus Humberts $50 gold pieces of the California Gold Rush era. An example of this type was illustrated on the cover of <em>Dyes Gold and Silver Coin Chart Manual</em> (1854 to 1855), there valued as 98 cents "circulating money"; by 1861 the value had been reduced to just 65 cents in that periodical. A moderately scarce variety, yet extremely popular, BG-504 is often selected to represent the "Humbert" Eagle Reverse when type sets of California Pioneer gold are assembled. This beautiful MS-63 example from the Oregon Collection would serve particularly well for that purpose. BG Die State III. From the Oregon Collection.
