1851 California Two and a Half Dollar - K-1b Restrike

Coin Details

Description

The 1851 K-1b restrike quarter eagle is a gold-composition restrike cataloged as Kagin K-1b, representing a later production from dies originally used for a private or territorial $2.50 gold piece dated 1851. The Kagin catalog designation indicates this piece falls within the systematic classification of territorial gold coinage established by Donald Kagin, whose reference work provides the standard numbering system for the field. The "restrike" designation and the date shown in quotation marks — "1851" — indicate that while the dies bear the 1851 date, this piece was produced significantly later, during the second half of the nineteenth century when numismatic interest in territorial gold issues was growing. Restrikes were often produced by die owners seeking to capitalize on collector demand, and gold-composition restrikes commanded the highest prices due to their precious metal content and closer resemblance to the original territorial coins. The quarter eagle denomination ($2.50) was a practical denomination in the California and western territorial gold coinage, corresponding to the official United States quarter eagle that had been produced since 1796. Private minters often produced $2.50 pieces alongside larger denominations to facilitate everyday commerce in regions where federal coinage was scarce. The K-1b restrike provides collectors with access to this die variety in its original intended metal, albeit as a recognized later production.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Gold-composition restrikes from these dies are scarce, with approximately 10-20 examples known. Gold restrikes command significant premiums over base-metal versions.

Cross References

PCGS #941286; Kagin K-1b