1861 $5 Clark, Gruber & Co. MS(PCGS#10140)

March 2020 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

3296

等级

MS61

价格

221,440

详细说明

Incredible Mint State 1861 Clark, Gruber & Co $5 Just Two Finer at PCGS 1861 Clark, Gruber & Co. $5. K-6. Rarity-4. MS-61 (PCGS). An incredibly historic specimen and the first Mint State example that we have handled in at least 15 years. Bright lemon-yellow in color with clouds of luster surrounding the devices. Well struck for the issue with sharp denticulation despite the typical central weakness. Smooth and attractive for the grade with just a trivial mark at Liberty's neck to be noted. Styled after the federal gold issues of the era, though Liberty's tiara proudly proclaims PIKES PEAK to signify the origin in Colorado Territory. A federal-style eagle with the legend CLARK GRUBER & CO DENVER and denomination FIVE D. comprises the reverse design. First struck in 1860, the issues of Clark, Gruber & Co. were coined from native Colorado gold and at a gold value 1% above that of federal coins of the same denomination; heeding the happenings of a decade earlier in California, the firm insisted on maintaining the small overage so that no one person or firm could ever accuse them of underhanded dealings or falsehoods, though no doubt accusations flew anyway. The principals of the firm were Austin M. Clark, his brother Milton Edward Clark, who served as the firm's attorney, and Emanuel H. Gruber. Brother Milton Clark traveled to Philadelphia in 1859 to procure dies and coining presses, later traveling to New York City for various other minting equipment. Early in January, 1860 the firm purchased property in Denver upon which to establish their "Assay and Coinage Office," and by July of that same year their first coins rolled off the presses to great fanfare in the local press. The present coin is a tangible link to America's third major gold find and will see spirited bidding by those who seek to expand the boundaries of "territorial" gold within their cabinet. It is among the finest survivors known for the issue and just two have been graded finer by PCGS. Provenance: Ex Heritage's sale of August 2019, lot 3994. PCGS Population: 3; 2 finer. PCGS# 10140. Click here for certification details from PCGS.