1861 Parsons Two-and-a-Half Dollar Die Trial - Silver

Coin Details

Description

This silver die trial is attributed to John Parsons, a goldsmith and assayer who operated briefly in the Tarryall mining district of South Park, Colorado Territory during 1861. Parsons is among the most obscure of the frontier coiners, and documentation of his operations is sparse. He reportedly produced a small quantity of $2.50 and $5 gold coins to serve the miners in the isolated South Park region, located roughly 80 miles southwest of Denver. This die trial in silver rather than gold was produced to test the dies before striking precious gold blanks, following the standard practice at both official and private mints. The Tarryall district experienced a brief but intense gold rush beginning in 1859, and small-scale assayers like Parsons filled a critical need by converting raw gold dust and nuggets into recognizable monetary form. Parsons' coinage is among the rarest of all territorial gold issues, and die trials in any metal are virtually undocumented. The use of silver rather than the more common copper for this trial may reflect the local availability of materials in the mining district.

Rarity Notes

Unique or nearly so. Parsons coinage of any kind is among the rarest territorial gold series. Die trials are essentially unheard of.

Cross References

K-1 (Kagin, Parsons); John Parsons, Tarryall / South Park, Colorado Territory