1849 Norris, Reeded Edge Gold Half Eagle

Coin Details

Auction Record

$99,875 MS63 11-14-2014 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1849 Norris, Gregg & Norris reeded edge gold half eagle is a variant of the pioneering California private gold coin, distinguished by the vertical grooves cut into the coin's edge. Reeded edges required an additional piece of equipment, a collar die, that the plain edge version did not need, indicating the reeded edge variant may represent a more refined production setup or a different production period. The reeding served practical purposes beyond aesthetics. It deterred the clipping of gold from the coin's edge, a form of fraud that had plagued precious-metal coinage for centuries. It also gave the coin a more professional appearance that more closely resembled federal gold coins, potentially increasing its acceptance in commerce. The reeded edge NGN half eagle represents the more finished version of California's earliest private gold coinage. Both variants share the distinction of being among the very first coined gold money produced on American soil west of the Rocky Mountains.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Comparable rarity to the plain edge variant. Together, both edge types number approximately 40-50 surviving examples.

Cross References

K-2 (Kagin). Norris, Gregg & Norris, reeded edge variant.