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

Lot Number: 3382

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1390*3382

1852 $50 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 900 Thous. XF45 PCGS. CAC. K-14, High R.5. Kagin-14 is the final U.S. Assay Office fifty dollar "slug" produced and serves as the only Gold Rush issue of the octagonal denomination struck in .900 fineness. The increased fineness was in response to the U.S. Customs Office's move -- under Federal mandate -- to cease acceptance of gold coinage with more than 10% alloy. Previously, Assay Office fifty dollar pieces were of .887 fineness, and in 1851, .880 fineness. Although dated 1852, according to Donald Kagin some of the K-14 pieces were struck in January and February 1853. in Later production of fifty dollar octagonal "slugs" was terminated at the San Francisco Assay Office in favor of ten and twenty dollar issues, which were more in line with federal gold denominations and served everyday West Coast commerce better. In 1854, when the branch mint was completed in San Francisco, many large denomination gold pieces produced during the Assay Office era were deposited as bullion and recoined into Liberty Head double eagles.

Surviving examples of the K-14 fifty are rare in all grades. A few Mint State pieces are known (about 15 examples), but most of the 100 to 150 K-14 survivors show moderate wear or impairments. This Choice XF example displays deep orange-gold patina and light wear, with the usual softness around the obverse margins, weakening the border legend. Scattered small abrasions accompany the grade as always. The originality of this piece sets it apart from many of its peers, as does the CAC green label. CAC recognizes only six K-14 examples in this grade, and nine finer. Any 1852 K-14 piece offers an important opportunity for the advanced territorial collector. Listed on page 394 of the 2026 Guide Book. Also among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins by Jeff Garrett. PCGS Population: 16 in 45, 36 finer. CAC: 6 in 45, 9 finer (11/25).
Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2022), lot 4482.

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