Heritage World Coin Auctions
CSNS Signature US Coin Sale 1254 26-28 Apr 2017
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Territorial Gold
1851 $50 LE Humbert Fifty Dollar, Lettered Edge, 887 Thous., 50 Reverse, K-4, High R.5, AU50 PCGS. CAC. The iconic Humbert fifty dollar octagonal gold pieces are recognizable symbols of an especially romantic era in American history, the California Gold Rush. Perhaps no other territorial gold coin is so well-known to both numismatists and the general public.
The 1851 Lettered Edge Humbert fifties (or slugs) represent a sort of transitional form of money between the earlier ingots and real coins. In some ways they resemble the ingots more than coins, except for their unusual octagonal shape. The original design was intended to accommodate various values and degrees of fineness, as the space beside the letters D (dollars) and C (Cents), below the central devices, were left blank, as well as the space beside THOUS. on the ribbon. The appropriate figures were punched in by hand when the coins were struck, as well as the legend AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA 1851 around the eight-sided edge. In the case of the K-4 variety, the numerals 50 were punched in next to the D, and also on the central reverse, the space beside C was left blank, and 887 was impressed on the ribbon. This process was extremely labor intensive, and the Lettered Edge fifties were soon superceded by their Reeded Edge counterparts, which were much better suited for high speed coinage operations.
This impressive AU specimen exhibits a better-than-average strike, with much fine detail in the eagle's feathers. The engine-turned reverse is reminiscent of a watch casing, a style familiar to Humbert from his earlier work as a watchmaker Only a touch of wear shows on the well-detailed design elements and the pleasing orange-gold surfaces are lightly abraded for such a large gold coin. Traces of original mint luster add to the attractive overall presentation. Housed in a green label holder. Listed on page 391 of the 2017 Guide Book. Population: 6 in 50, 17 finer. CAC: 1 in 50, 6 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017
1851 $50 LE Humbert Fifty Dollar, Lettered Edge, 887 Thous., 50 Reverse, K-4, High R.5, AU50 PCGS. CAC. The iconic Humbert fifty dollar octagonal gold pieces are recognizable symbols of an especially romantic era in American history, the California Gold Rush. Perhaps no other territorial gold coin is so well-known to both numismatists and the general public.
The 1851 Lettered Edge Humbert fifties (or slugs) represent a sort of transitional form of money between the earlier ingots and real coins. In some ways they resemble the ingots more than coins, except for their unusual octagonal shape. The original design was intended to accommodate various values and degrees of fineness, as the space beside the letters D (dollars) and C (Cents), below the central devices, were left blank, as well as the space beside THOUS. on the ribbon. The appropriate figures were punched in by hand when the coins were struck, as well as the legend AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA 1851 around the eight-sided edge. In the case of the K-4 variety, the numerals 50 were punched in next to the D, and also on the central reverse, the space beside C was left blank, and 887 was impressed on the ribbon. This process was extremely labor intensive, and the Lettered Edge fifties were soon superceded by their Reeded Edge counterparts, which were much better suited for high speed coinage operations.
This impressive AU specimen exhibits a better-than-average strike, with much fine detail in the eagle's feathers. The engine-turned reverse is reminiscent of a watch casing, a style familiar to Humbert from his earlier work as a watchmaker Only a touch of wear shows on the well-detailed design elements and the pleasing orange-gold surfaces are lightly abraded for such a large gold coin. Traces of original mint luster add to the attractive overall presentation. Housed in a green label holder. Listed on page 391 of the 2017 Guide Book. Population: 6 in 50, 17 finer. CAC: 1 in 50, 6 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017