1853-DERIB Octagonal $1. BG-525. Rarity-6+. Liberty Head. AU-58 (PCGS). From maker M. Deriberpie comes this scarce Period I octagonal gold dollar. Direct lighting calls forth not only subtle pinkish-rose undertones, but also ample evidence of a semi-prooflike finish from the dies. Predominantly honey-orange in appearance with the design elements boldly rendered. "Usually in low grades," as Bob Leonard reports in the 2003 edition of the Breen-Gillio reference, this issue undoubtedly saw active circulation in Gold Rush California. Further proof for this belief comes from the fact that a single example was included among the coins salvaged from the wreck of the <em>S.S. Winfeld Scott</em> in the early 1960s. Identical in PCGS-certified grade to the Jay Roe specimen-BG plate coin, the offered example has much to recommend it to specialists in the challenging California small denomination gold series. From the Oregon Collection.
