One of the Month-Long auctions now open for bidding at Heritage Auctions is the October 22 California Fractional Gold US Coins Special Monthly Auction, a selection of 100 pieces of California fractional gold.
These very small coins, privately minted in California from the 1850s to the 1880s, were minted in both octagonal and round shapes. Obverses commonly depict Liberty, an Indian, or George Washington. The vast majority of coins in this auction are tiny gold 25 cent pieces; others were minted in denominations of 50 cents and $1, and both are also represented here.
While these fractional gold coins are often quite rare from an absolute basis, they are not especially expensive, with many issues selling for under $500.
Drawing a great deal of early interest is a scarce and popular 1853 Octagonal Liberty 50 Cents with ‘Peacock’ Reverse, graded MS64 by NGC. Minted by Frontier, Deviercy & Co, this coin’s famous “Peacock” reverse is so-named due to rays behind the eagle’s head that resemble the tail feathers of a peacock. This variety is seen in lower grades more often than many other fractional gold issues, as it was actually used in commerce during the Gold Rush period.
Other notable offerings in this auction include:
- Undated Liberty Round 25 Cents, BG-207, High R.5, MS63 PCGS
- 1872 Washington Octagonal 25 Cents, Baker-503, BG-722, Low R.4, MS66 NGC
- 1872 Washington Octagonal 25 Cents, BG-723, Low R.6, MS63 PCGS
- 1872 Liberty Head Octagonal 25 Cents, BG-726, High R.5, MS63 PCGS
- 1867 25C Liberty Head Octagonal 25 Cents, BG-742, Low R.7, MS62 PCGS
- 1870 25C Liberty Head Octagonal 25 Cents, BG-754, R.7, MS62 PCGS
- 1880/70 25C Indian Octagonal 25 Cents, BG-799I, R.6, MS65 PCGS
- 1875 50C Indian Octagonal 50 Cents, BG-948, High R.5, MS66 Prooflike NGC
Bidding is open now and continues until the live session at 6 PM CT on October 22. Bid on these coins exclusively at Coins.HA.com.
