1872 Gold Quarter - BG-723, Washington

Coin Details

Auction Record

$6,900 MS63 05-30-2006 Goldberg Auctioneers

Description

This octagonal California gold quarter dollar, designated BG-723 in the Breen-Gillio catalog, dates to 1872 and measures approximately 10 to 11 millimeters in diameter. 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. This variety features a Washington Head obverse design, depicting a profile bust of George Washington. The Washington Head type is one of the less common design motifs in the California fractional gold series, where Liberty Head designs predominate. These Washington portraits lend a distinctly patriotic character to what were fundamentally products of private enterprise. The octagonal format is one of the distinctive hallmarks of California fractional gold coinage, distinguishing these pieces from conventional round coins and adding visual interest that has long attracted collectors. By the time this piece was produced, California fractional gold coins had evolved from monetary necessities into collectible curiosities and decorative items. The jewelers who manufactured Period Two pieces often produced them in greater quantities than their earlier counterparts, marketing them to tourists visiting San Francisco and to the growing community of coin collectors on the East Coast. Despite this shift toward the souvenir trade, these pieces remain genuine gold coins with real bullion value, and they occupy a unique niche in American numismatic history.

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. Washington Head varieties are among the less common design types in California fractional gold, sought by collectors focusing on design diversity within the series.

Cross References

BG-723; Breen-Gillio catalog; PCGS #10550; NGC #501723; California Fractional Gold Quarter Dollar; Octagonal; Period Two (1859–1882); Washington Head