LOT #3598 |
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1851 $50 RE Humbert Fifty Dollar, Reeded Edge, 887 Thous., No "50", AU58 NGC. K-6, Low R.5....
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Sold on Oct 8, 2026 for:
$76,250.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1851 Humbert Fifty, AU58
K-6 Reeded Edge, 887 Thous.
1851 $50 RE Humbert Fifty Dollar, Reeded Edge, 887 Thous., No
"50", AU58 NGC. K-6, Low R.5. Newly appointed U.S. Assayer of
Gold Augustus Humbert arrived in San Francisco at the end of
January 1851, bringing dies for the first $50 octagonal gold
ingots. The actual mintage of Assay Office gold was subcontracted
to Moffat & Company, which produced several varieties of the iconic
gold slugs during the year. In 1851, the large and unloved
octagonal fifties were the main circulating coinage for the
California Gold Rush region, since most privately minted gold
coinage was withdrawn in the midst of media furor as "under mint
value." No smaller denomination gold pieces were issued by the
United States Assay Office of Gold until 1852.Engraver Albrecht Kuner's new fifty dollar dies streamlined mintage of the cumbersome eight-sided gold pieces into an efficient one-step process. The new 1851 Kagin-6 fifty dollar dies note .887 fineness, with a reeded edge and restyled eagle on the obverse. The eight-sided legend AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA and the 1851 date occupy the obverse border, while Kuner's new new engine-turned First Target Reverse shows a large gap between an outer ribbon and the engine-turned reverse design, with the ribbon often drifting off the coin's edge. Donald Kagin estimates about 75 K-6 examples survive today including approximately 10 Mint State pieces. This near-Mint example shows only minor nicks on the exposed edges of this large and heavy Territorial gold issue. Pleasing olive-gold color displays reddish-gold accents throughout the raised elements. Aside from light wear and minor strike weakness at the lower obverse, there are no heavy marks or abrasions to distract the eye and traces of original luster linger on both sides. Among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. Listed on page 425 of the 2027 Guide Book. NGC Census: 6 in 58, 26 finer (8/26).
Ex: Showcase Auction (Stack's Bowers, 11/2024), lot 3280.
From The Christensen Family Collection.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 6J5M, PCGS# 10214, GSID# 11786)
View all of [The Christensen Family Collection ]
Auction Info
2026 October 8 - 9 GACC US Coins Signature® Auction #1397 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2026
8th-9th
Thursday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 35
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,302
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.
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