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1860 $10 Clark, Gruber & Co. Ten Dollar MS61 NGC. K-3, High R.4....
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Sold on Oct 2, 2025 for:
$52,200.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
Description
1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. Ten, MS61
Popular Pike's Peak Obverse, K-3
Seldom Seen in Mint State
1860 $10 Clark, Gruber & Co. Ten Dollar MS61 NGC. K-3, High
R.4. Denver-area pioneer banking establishment Clark, Gruber &
Co. initially shipped large quantities of gold dust and nuggets to
the Philadelphia Mint for Federal coinage, but the long journey was
both risky and time consuming. By October, 1860 the firm was
running its steam-powered coining press night and day striking the
highly popular and readily accepted coinage. The "Mountain $10"
gold pieces were a favored denomination, prompting the The
Western Mountaineer to write:"A specimen of their $10 pieces we have seen, is exceedingly neat and tasty. Upon the obverse it exhibits the eagle of the government coin with the words, 'Clark, Gruber & Co., 1860.' The reverse bears a view of Pike's Peak natural as life and twice as sharp, with the inscription 'Pike's Peak Gold. Denver. Ten D.' The superiority of coin, in point of convenience for currency over dust is so obvious, it will no doubt at once come into general circulation."
In truth, the new obverse motif in no way resembles Pike's Peak, but the Mountain $10 became an emblem of the Colorado Gold Rush. Clark, Gruber & Co. was scrupulously honest in its coinage operations and the firm established a reputation that was second-to-none in the banking, assaying, and private coinage industry. Their coins -- issued in two and a half, five, ten, and twenty dollar denominations -- were well-executed and widely received at par, as their intrinsic value was slightly in excess of the face value.
This is an exceptional Mint State example of the coinage, struck from gold naturally alloyed with silver, with the resultant green-gold color. Apparently, this is an early strike from the dies, with flashy semireflective fields, sharply struck central motifs, and crisp peripheral legends. The fields are smooth and free of all but a few minor, feather-light abrasions. The 0 in the date shows a pinpoint planchet flaw as struck, visible under a loupe. All else is exceedingly lustrous and well-preserved for the issue. Listed on page 403 of the 2026 Guide Book. Census: 7 in 61, 8 finer (8/25).
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# ANK3, PCGS# 10137, Greysheet# 11746)
Auction Info
2025 October 2 - 5 GACC US Coins Signature® Auction #1386 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2025
2nd-5th
Thursday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 24
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 305
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