1881 Round 25 Cents. BG-853A. Rarity-8. Indian Head. MS-63 (PCGS). A phenomenal rarity in the California Small Denomination gold series, BG-853A is missing from virtually every specialists collection ever assembled. This is not surprising, since there are only three examples positively known to exist. The specimen offered here is by far the finest, and it is a lovely Choice Mint State example with handsome honey-orange and olive-gold colors to both sides. Isolated softness of strike is easily forgiven and, in any event, most design elements are sharp, and all are fully appreciable. Satiny to modestly semi-reflective in finish with surfaces that are pleasingly smooth overall. Provenance concerns alone compel us to mention a tiny planchet void on the obverse between stars 9 and 10, as well as an area of minor roughness on the reverse around the letters D in DOLLAR and C in CAL. that is the result of a shallow strikethrough. Both of these identifying features are as made.<p>First discovered by Robert H. Burnie circa 1952 to 1955 (Burnie-133), this variety was overlooked in the first edition of his reference. It was later "rediscovered" by Jay Roe, March 24, 1994, in a purchase from Allen Stockton. Variously called "BG-853W" by Jay Roe, "BG-893" initially by PCGS, and redesignated BG-853A in the second (2003) edition of the Breen-Gillio reference <em>California Pioneer Fractional Gold</em>. The 2003 Bob Leonard census lists three examples.<p>1 - <strong>PCGS MS-63</strong>. Ex Oregon Collection, acquired unattributed at the 2002 FUN Convention. <em><strong>The present example</strong></em>, previously attributed as BG-893 by PCGS when first certified in 2002, now attributed by PCGS as BG-853A.<p>2 - <strong>About Uncirculated, Holed</strong>. Ex Allen Stockton; Dr. John Westal Rowe ("Jay Roe"), acquired from the former March 24, 1994; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Jay Roe Collection, September 2003, lot 337.<p>3 - Ex Burnie, circa 1952 to 1955. Grade and present whereabouts unknown.<p>Interestingly, the present example is not included in the current online version of the <em>PCGS Population Report</em>, either under the BG-853A or BG-893 attribution. NGC reports no grading events for either BG number. Mike Lockes notes for this variety state "3 known, 2 are holed," which opens up the possibility that a fourth example is extant.<p>A highly significant offering for the advanced specialist, and a fleeting bidding opportunity not to be missed. From the Oregon Collection.
