1851 State of California K-1a Gold Quarter Eagle

Coin Details

Auction Record

$12,650 GEM UNC 10-01-2007 Stack's

Description

The 1851 State of California K-1a gold quarter eagle is a die variety of the state-authorized two-and-a-half dollar gold piece, distinguished from the K-1 by specific die characteristics cataloged in the Kagin reference. The sub-letter indicates a variant within the first die pairing, typically reflecting a die state difference or minor design modification. This piece was struck under the authority of the California state legislature and supervision of State Assayer Frederick D. Kohler, making it part of the only state-government-authorized gold coinage in American history. The quarter eagle carries distinctive markings of the California state issue. The K-1a variant is significant for die variety specialists because it helps establish the production sequence and die usage history of the state coinage program. Identifying multiple varieties within a single denomination indicates that production extended over sufficient time to necessitate die changes. The State of California coinage represents a fascinating intersection of numismatics, politics, and economics, and the K-1a quarter eagle is a tangible artifact of California's brief and troubled experiment with state-level monetary sovereignty.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. K-1a specimens may be somewhat scarcer than K-1. All State of California gold is highly sought.

Cross References

K-1a (Kagin). Die variety of the State of California $2.50 gold.