1856 Blake & Co. Twenty Dollar - Copper Gilt

Coin Details

Description

The 1856 Blake & Company Twenty Dollar piece in copper gilt is a trial or pattern striking from one of the last private gold coiners to operate in California. Blake & Company is notable for continuing private coinage operations as late as 1856, a full two years after the United States Mint branch in San Francisco opened for business in April 1854. The establishment of the San Francisco Mint was specifically intended to eliminate the need for private coinage by providing miners and merchants with access to officially sanctioned coins struck from their California gold. That Blake & Company persisted in producing coins after the government mint was operational indicates either that demand for coined money still outstripped the new mint's capacity, or that the firm was fulfilling a niche market for larger denominations. The twenty dollar denomination was the largest standard gold coin in the American monetary system, and double eagles were particularly useful for large commercial transactions in the booming California economy. This copper gilt specimen represents an off-metal trial or presentation piece rather than a coin intended for circulation. The gilt coating over the copper base was applied to simulate the appearance of gold, indicating the piece served as a salesman's sample, a die trial to test the quality of the engraving, or a presentation piece for investors or officials. Such off-metal strikings are documented across numerous California territorial issues and provide invaluable evidence about the manufacturing processes and business practices of these private minting operations.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare off-metal trial. Copper gilt specimens of Blake & Co. issues are known in only a handful of examples. The gilt surface often shows wear or loss, revealing the copper substrate beneath. A significant rarity within the California territorial gold pattern series.

Cross References

NGC ID 31350; Kagin K-4 (Gilt); related to PCGS #10032 (gold version)