1872 Gold Dollar - BG-1206

Coin Details

Auction Record

$8,050 MS63 09-01-2003 Bowers & Merena

Description

Cataloged as BG-1206 in the Breen-Gillio reference, this 1872 round California gold dollar measures approximately 15 to 16 millimeters in diameter — comparable in size to a modern cent. Produced during the later period of California fractional gold coinage, this piece reflects the continued market for small gold coins on the Pacific Coast, whether for everyday transactions, souvenirs, or the jewelry trade. This piece displays the characteristic Liberty Head obverse typical of its Breen-Gillio catalog group, with the denomination indicated on the reverse. The die engraving on California fractional gold pieces, while necessarily simplified by the small planchet size, often exhibits surprising detail and craftsmanship given the constraints of the medium. 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. The later period of California fractional gold production, spanning roughly 1859 through 1882, saw a gradual shift in purpose. As the San Francisco Mint and branch mints increased production and federal small-denomination coinage became readily available on the Pacific Coast, the purely economic rationale for fractional gold diminished. Production continued, however, driven by tourist demand, collector interest, and the jewelry trade — these tiny gold coins made attractive ornamental pieces and souvenir items, and many surviving examples show evidence of having been mounted as jewelry.

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.

Cross References

BG-1206; Breen-Gillio catalog; PCGS #10951; NGC #502206; California Fractional Gold Dollar; Round; Period Two (1859–1882)