1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. Two-and-a-Half Dollar Die Trial - Copper

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,700 PR63 11-01-1979 Bowers & Ruddy

Description

A copper die trial of the Clark, Gruber & Company quarter eagle ($2.50) denomination, struck at their Denver mint during the first year of their coining operations. The $2.50 piece was the smallest gold denomination Clark Gruber produced, and like their other issues, it was designed to facilitate commerce in the booming Pikes Peak mining district. This copper trial served as a test impression to verify the quality of the dies before committing gold blanks. The obverse features the distinctive Pikes Peak mountain design that became the hallmark of Clark Gruber coinage, while the reverse displays the denomination and date. Clark Gruber coins were produced using relatively simple minting equipment compared to the United States Mint, yet they achieved a level of craftsmanship that earned broad acceptance throughout Colorado Territory. Copper trials from this private mint provide important numismatic evidence of the die-making process at frontier minting operations, where resources were limited and each die had to be prepared with care to maximize its useful life.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Only a few copper die trials of the Clark Gruber quarter eagle are known. Most surviving Clark Gruber material is in gold.

Cross References

K-1 (Kagin); Clark, Gruber & Company, Denver, Colorado Territory