1861 Parsons Five Dollar - Regular Strike

Coin Details

Description

The 1861 John Parsons & Company Five Dollar, cataloged separately from the standard Parsons half eagle, represents a die variety or distinct issue of the Parsons five-dollar denomination. The separate NGC catalog number indicates meaningful design, die, or production differences from the primary Parsons half eagle. Parsons operated as both an assayer and coiner in the South Park mining district of Colorado Territory. The firm's coinage activities supplemented its primary business of assaying gold dust and nuggets brought in by miners working the rich placer deposits of the region. The distinction between Parsons half eagle varieties provides valuable evidence about the firm's coining practices, including the number of die pairs prepared and the duration of their minting activities.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Die varieties of Parsons five-dollar coins are among the scarcest Colorado territorial issues.

Cross References

NGC #31193