1863 Gold Half Dollar - BG-1305, H. Kroll & Co.

Coin Details

Auction Record

$510 AU50 12-27-2022 eBay

Description

The 1863 California Fractional Gold Half Dollar (BG-1305) is a tiny round gold coin, measuring approximately 13 to 14 millimeters in diameter and representing a 50 cents denomination in the California fractional gold series. The second period of California fractional gold production saw these coins transition from pure monetary instruments to items valued equally by tourists, collectors, and jewelers who fashioned them into ornamental pieces. The obverse carries a small but detailed portrait of Liberty, the workhorse design of the California fractional gold series. Dozens of different Liberty Head dies were used across the many die varieties cataloged by Breen-Gillio, each with subtle differences in hair arrangement, coronet style, and portrait positioning. The reverse shows the denomination and related inscriptions. The remarkably diminutive size is one of the distinctive hallmarks of California fractional gold coinage, making these among the smallest coins ever struck for genuine commerce and adding a novelty that has long attracted collectors. This piece bears the attribution to H. Kroll & Co., one of the San Francisco firms involved in the production of California fractional gold coins. Maker-attributed pieces are particularly valuable to researchers because they help trace the manufacturing network behind these privately produced coins, connecting specific die styles and metallic characteristics to identifiable businesses operating in Gold Rush-era and post-Gold Rush San Francisco.

Rarity Notes

Available in the California fractional gold market. Period Two pieces are the most frequently encountered fractional gold issues, though condition and specific variety affect value significantly. The H. Kroll & Co. maker attribution adds provenance value, as collector interest in identified manufacturers of California fractional gold is strong.

Cross References

BG-1305; Breen-Gillio catalog; PCGS #516777; NGC #502305; California Fractional Gold Half Dollar; Round; Period Two (1859–1882); H. Kroll & Co.