Auction Name: 2026 January 14 - 17 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 3381

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1390*3381

1852 $50 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 900 Thous. VF30 NGC. K-14, R/5. The United States Assay Office of Gold was once again under the leadership of Curtis, Perry, and Ward when the final eight-sided fifty dollar gold pieces were struck between October 1852 and February 1853. An increase in seignorage charged was one reason for the discontinuance. Although struck in .900 Thous. gold, the large octagonal pieces were technically in violation of Federal standards. Copper was not available for alloy, so naturally occurring silver provided the sole alloy for these final pieces. Perhaps 150 of the K-14 octagonal ingots are known today in all grades combined according to Donald Kagin and David J. McCarthy's recent reference. This is a well-circulated VF30 example showing moderate high-point wear. Remarkably, the corners and edges are nearly unimpaired and the engine-turned reverse shows grade-consistent central wear and a few angled marks, but only minor dings. The olive-gold surfaces appear wholly original. Two small gouges sit above the eagle's head, yet the date and most of the outer obverse legend are readable. This is an ideal collector grade for one of these highly in-demand iconic California gold pieces. Listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. NGC Census: 2 in 30, 54 finer (12/25).

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