1848 $2.50 CAL. MS(PCGS#7749)

1848 $2.50 CAL. MS (PCGS#7749)

The March 2011 Baltimore Auction

详细说明: 1848 Liberty Quarter Eagle. CAL. EF-45 (PCGS). An exciting example of this rarely offered commemorative gold coin. These were struck in Philadelphia using the first batch of gold to arrive from the freshly discovered gold fields of California. The Military Governor R. B. Mason of California sent 230 ounces of newly recovered gold to the Secretary of War Marcy. This shipment became 1,389 quarter eagles, and while each coin resided in the die the distinctive letters CAL. were punched in above the eagle. As often seen the fields retain a fair degree of prooflike reflectivity as the dies were polished up prior to striking these special issues. The surfaces have a touch of haze from handling but the fields and devices are generally pleasing as minimal circulation marks or wear are present. The strike is sharp on Liberty's curls and stars with a touch of softness on the eagles thigh and claws. Attrition of these early quarter eagles was high, and despite their special status as one of our first commemorative issues, precious few have survived. Perhaps 100 to 150 exist today for collectors to seek out. The present example boasts a high grade and good surface quality for this rare and historic issue. Little did anyone realize in 1848 what a tremendous change the massive quantity of gold coming out of the California region would have on our country.