Augustus Humbert was U.S. Assayer in San Francisco and operated his firm under Moffat & Co. as the provisional mint years before the San Francisco mint officially opened. There are two variants of the 1851 887 Thous. reeded edge fifties, differing in the placement of the outer concentric circle on the reverse relative to the rim. In spite of their large size (nicknamed “slugs”), these pieces traded hands frequently in Gold Rush California. They were one of the few forms of gold whose stated value could be trusted. When viewed in hand, the coin is lighter (in hue, not weight!) than seen in our images.
Offered at $40,250 delivered
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The importance of the 1851 $50 gold coins can scarcely be overemphasized. Ask any advanced collector of Territorial gold to name the most significant and memorable coinage design from the early California Gold Rush period, and the Humbert-U.S. Assay Office octagonal fifty dollars will likely be the first named. Until the commemorative Panama-Pacific fifty dollar pieces of 1915, the 1851-52 Humbert-Assay Office fifties remained the only large octagonal gold coins struck under the auspices of the United States Mint (the Assay Office was a provisional government mint), although later California private coiners struck round fifty dollar coins (Kellogg in 1854-55 and Wass, Molitor in 1855). The NGC population is only 8 with 12 higher.
Offered at $126,500 delivered
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The Panama-Pacific Exposition was authorized to sell up to 1,500 examples each of both the Round and Octagonal versions of the Pan-Pac fifties, and the Mint struck 1510 examples of the Round version, including 10 examples for the Assay Commission. Unfortunately, the high cost of the coins ($100 per coin) discouraged all but the most dedicated collectors, and only 483 specimens of the Round design were sold. The remaining 1,017 coins were melted after the close of the exposition. These rare gold commemoratives are avidly sought-after in today’s market. If you’ve never held one of these massive and extremely impressive coins, you owe it to yourself to do so. In hand, this coin’s color is more yellow/less orange than seen in our images.
Offered at $179, 200 delivered
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Large 3, Small Reverse Stars. Ex: “Col.” E.H.R. Green. This impressive looking Mint State piece is one of just eight that NGC has certified as MS60 or finer, for all four die varieties, and only three of those are graded higher than this example. Both sides display vibrant luster at the centers with bands of gold and sea-green toning. This date is underrated in Mint State. While type collectors may have their pick of uncirculated coins dated 1806 and 1807, date collectors must look long and hard to find one dated 1803. This particular representative is considerably lighter and flashier than portrayed in our images.
Offered at $24,725 delivered
We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.
The Panama-Pacific Exposition was authorized to sell up to 1,500 examples each of both the Round and Octagonal versions of the Pan-Pac fifties, and the Mint struck 1510 examples of the Round version, including 10 examples for the Assay Commission. Unfortunately, the high cost of the coins ($100 per coin) discouraged all but the most dedicated collectors, and only 483 specimens of the Round design were sold. The remaining 1,017 coins were melted after the close of the exposition. These rare gold commemoratives are avidly sought-after in today’s market. If you’ve never held one of these massive and extremely impressive coins in your hand, you owe it to yourself to do so.
Offered at $120,000 delivered
We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.
Holding an example of the Octagonal fifty dollar gold pieces struck to commemorate the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915, one notices several things. Chief among them are the coins’ size, shape, weight, and intricate design. Of the 1,509 examples struck, 645 pieces were sold to fair-goers for $100 apiece. The Octagonal coins’ novel design, reminiscent of California’s storied Gold Rush, undoubtedly contributed to their popularity. Additionally, the Octagonal slugs depict added dolphins around the margins, symbolizing the new “uninterrupted water route made possible by the Panama Canal.” For the same historic and design reasons collectors sought them out a hundred years ago, collectors continue to seek out examples today in all grades. The coin offered here is somewhat more lustrous and yellow-gold in hue, than seen in our images. Listed at $92,000 in the CDN CPG and $87,500 in the PCGS price guide.
Offered at $84,375 delivered
We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.
United States Mint issues 2019 American Gold Eagle Proof coins today
MARCH 7, 2019 BY PRESS RELEASE
Washington — The United States Mint is opening sales for the 2019 American Gold Eagle Proof coins today at noon EST. Product options are below.
PRODUCT CODE
PRODUCT OPTION
19EB
One-Ounce Coin
19EC
1/2-Ounce Coin
19ED
1/4-Ounce Coin
19EE
1/10-Ounce Coin
19EF
Four-Coin Set
The individual coins and the four-coin sets are packaged in satin-lined burgundy velvet presentation cases housed inside a burgundy outer box. All options include a certificate of authenticity.
Coin prices are based on the range in which they appear on the Mint’s current pricing grid for numismatic gold, commemorative gold, platinum, and palladium products, available at the Mint’s website.
American Gold Eagle Proof coins are the collector versions of the Mint’s American Gold Eagle bullion coins. Launched in 1986, these 22-karat gold coins display the “W” mint mark of the West Point Mint where they are produced. The coins’ obverse (heads) design features a version of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left.
The reverse design (tails), by sculptor Miley Busiek, features a male eagle carrying an olive branch while flying above a nest containing a female eagle and eaglets.
The Mint accepts orders online and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at the Mint’s website.
About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces numismatic products, including Proof, Uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of March 7, 2019, at noon EST.
