1852 $50 Assay Office Fifty Dollar, 900 Thous. XF45 PCGS. CAC. K-14, High R.5....
Description
1852 Assay Office Fifty, XF45
K-14, 900 Thous., CAC Endorsed
Rare Final 'Slug' Issue
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.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# ANHH, PCGS# 10019, Greysheet# 11698)
Auction Info
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This lot is in: 2 -
Signature® Floor Session - Platinum Session - II (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3177-3389) - 6:00 PM Central Time, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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