1851 "887" $50 LE Augustus Humbert "50" Reverse MS(PCGS#10208)

The Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

7244

等级

AU53

价格

785,996

详细说明

Noteworthy 1851 K-4 Humbert $50 Gold Lettered Edge, 887 THOUS, 50 Reverse 1851 Augustus Humbert $50. Lettered Edge. K-4. Rarity-5+. 50 DC, 887 THOUS., 50 on Reverse. AU-53 (PCGS). A highly significant offering for the specialist, and even more so as one of several August Humbert "slug" rarities that we are offering in this sale. Rich, vivid rose-honey color greets the viewer from both sides. Surprisingly well preserved, especially for having seen light commercial use, we note mostly small, singularly inconspicuous handling marks scattered about -- far from serious and far less obtrusive than typically seen for the issue. A few rim disturbances are noted for accuracy, these being typical for the type. The edge of this elusive variety reads AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA 1851, while the reverse exhibits a sunken 50 at the center of the design. Humbert's numerous gold issues were accepted almost universally across the board in local commerce due to their reasonably accurate gold content. More than one firm's products could not measure up to the purity of the Humbert pieces, and they were eventually put out of business in the region as a result. Humbert, a New Yorker and a watch case maker by trade, made such a sterling reputation for himself in the San Francisco region that he was appointed United States assayer. His office was generally regarded by many as a provisional government mint and became "official" under the auspices of the Act of September 30, 1850, which established the federal Assay Office of Gold in San Francisco; this eventually became, after a few years of varied shenanigans, the United States Mint in San Francisco. The Assay Office closed for good in December 1853 in preparation for the new U.S. Mint's activities, though Humbert's "slugs" circulated widely even after the opening of the government money factory. The offered coin is a rare example of a desirable and historic issue, one with as much character as some of the '49ers who no doubt used it in commerce at some point in its history. It is a beautiful, lustrous, About Uncirculated rarity with the utmost desirability for the connoisseur. Provenance: From the Madrone Collection. PCGS Population: 4; 17 finer (MS-62+ finest). PCGS# 10208. NGC ID: ANH4. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Click here to see Coins in Motion.[“Coins]