Heritage World Coin Auctions
Dallas Signature US Coin Sale 1265 7-8 Dec 2017
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Territorial Gold
1852 $50 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 887 Thous., VF25 NGC. K-13, Low R.5. The United States Assay Office in San Francisco began operations in 1851, under contract with the private local firm Moffat & Co. Issuance of gold ingots in denominations of $50 through $1,000 was successful and the gold readily accepted in commerce, largely because of the good reputation of John L. Moffat's firm. However, in December 1851, Moffat sold his interests in the firm to Curtis, Perry, and Ward to pursue mining. The government coining contract for the Assay Office was officially granted to the new owners of Moffat's firm in February 1852.
The fifty dollar "slugs" produced under Curtis, Perry, and Ward differed from Moffat's pieces in their peripheral inscription, which now read: UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA. This issue was mass-produced, but many pieces were later converted to regular federal coinage at the San Francisco Mint in 1854. This midgrade survivor displays uniform olive-gold patina and good central detail. The peripheral legend is weak but portions are visible, and the date is clear. Listed on page 398 of the 2018 Guide Book.
HID02901242017
1852 $50 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 887 Thous., VF25 NGC. K-13, Low R.5. The United States Assay Office in San Francisco began operations in 1851, under contract with the private local firm Moffat & Co. Issuance of gold ingots in denominations of $50 through $1,000 was successful and the gold readily accepted in commerce, largely because of the good reputation of John L. Moffat's firm. However, in December 1851, Moffat sold his interests in the firm to Curtis, Perry, and Ward to pursue mining. The government coining contract for the Assay Office was officially granted to the new owners of Moffat's firm in February 1852.
The fifty dollar "slugs" produced under Curtis, Perry, and Ward differed from Moffat's pieces in their peripheral inscription, which now read: UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA. This issue was mass-produced, but many pieces were later converted to regular federal coinage at the San Francisco Mint in 1854. This midgrade survivor displays uniform olive-gold patina and good central detail. The peripheral legend is weak but portions are visible, and the date is clear. Listed on page 398 of the 2018 Guide Book.
HID02901242017