1849 Massachusetts & California Co. Five Dollar - Copper, K-2b, Gilt

Coin Details

Description

This gilt copper striking of the Massachusetts & California Company five-dollar piece is cataloged as K-2b in the Kagin reference, identifying a specific die combination struck in copper with gold wash. The K-2b designation places this piece within the second die pairing of the M&C half eagle series, with the sub-variety letter distinguishing the copper gilt metal from other compositions using the same dies. The gilding process applied a thin layer of gold over the copper substrate, giving the piece an outward resemblance to the gold original that would have made it an attractive display or reference specimen. Gilt copper K-2b examples from the M&C series show the characteristic wear pattern of gilded pieces, where the gold layer remains in protected areas while wearing away from high points to reveal the reddish copper beneath. The K-2 die pairing represents one of the primary die combinations used for M&C half eagle production. Whether dies were first used in gold and then repurposed for base-metal strikings, or whether some die pairs were dedicated exclusively to non-gold production, remains undocumented.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Gilt copper K-2b specimens are scarce. Individual die variety populations are small.

Cross References

K-2b (Kagin). Massachusetts & California Co. $5 gilt copper variant.