Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature US Coin Sale 1256 8-9 Jun 2017
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Territorial Gold
1860 $5 Mormon Five Dollar, K-6, High R.5 -- Cleaning -- PCGS Genuine. AU Details. Among the consequences of the discovery of gold in Colorado in 1858 was this final attempt at a Mormon coinage, a full decade after the previous effort was abandoned. J.M. Barlow and Douglas Brown struck the coins at a mint established in Barlow's jewelry store, with full approval from Brigham Young. The coins circulated readily in the local economy but, outside the Mormon community there was considerable mistrust of the coinage, and it only circulated at a steep discount. Coinage operations continued until 1861, when governor Alfred Cumming prohibited further production by the Mormon mint. Most examples were melted shortly afterward, making the issue very scarce in later years.
The attractive design featured a recumbent lion on the obverse, with the date below, and the motto HOLINESS TO THE LORD around. The lettering was inscribed in the Deseret alphabet, and is historically important as one of the few examples of this script to survive today. The reverse features an eagle behind a beehive, with the legend DESERET ASSAY OFFICE. PURE GOLD. around, with 5.D. below. The reverse is lettered in Latin script.
The present coin is an impressive specimen with well-detailed design elements that show just a touch of actual wear. The pleasing orange-gold surfaces are lightly abraded, but the luster is somewhat dimmed by a light cleaning, long ago. The overall presentation is quite attractive. Listed on page 409 of the 2018 Guide Book.
HID02901242017
1860 $5 Mormon Five Dollar, K-6, High R.5 -- Cleaning -- PCGS Genuine. AU Details. Among the consequences of the discovery of gold in Colorado in 1858 was this final attempt at a Mormon coinage, a full decade after the previous effort was abandoned. J.M. Barlow and Douglas Brown struck the coins at a mint established in Barlow's jewelry store, with full approval from Brigham Young. The coins circulated readily in the local economy but, outside the Mormon community there was considerable mistrust of the coinage, and it only circulated at a steep discount. Coinage operations continued until 1861, when governor Alfred Cumming prohibited further production by the Mormon mint. Most examples were melted shortly afterward, making the issue very scarce in later years.
The attractive design featured a recumbent lion on the obverse, with the date below, and the motto HOLINESS TO THE LORD around. The lettering was inscribed in the Deseret alphabet, and is historically important as one of the few examples of this script to survive today. The reverse features an eagle behind a beehive, with the legend DESERET ASSAY OFFICE. PURE GOLD. around, with 5.D. below. The reverse is lettered in Latin script.
The present coin is an impressive specimen with well-detailed design elements that show just a touch of actual wear. The pleasing orange-gold surfaces are lightly abraded, but the luster is somewhat dimmed by a light cleaning, long ago. The overall presentation is quite attractive. Listed on page 409 of the 2018 Guide Book.
HID02901242017