1872 Gold Quarter - BG-724, Washington

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,888 MS62 05-01-2007 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1872 California Fractional Gold Quarter Dollar (BG-724) is an octagonal gold piece measuring approximately 10 to 11 millimeters in diameter — smaller than a modern dime. 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 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. Period Two California fractional gold coins like this specimen represent the mature phase of a distinctly Californian numismatic tradition. While the urgent economic need that spawned these coins in the 1850s had passed, production continued because the coins had become cultural artifacts — symbols of California’s Gold Rush heritage and popular keepsakes. Many Period Two pieces feature higher-quality die work than their Period One predecessors, suggesting that manufacturers invested in improved tooling to serve an increasingly discriminating collector and tourist market.

Rarity Notes

Moderately available. While California fractional gold as a class is uncommon by general numismatic standards, Period Two issues are among the more accessible entries in the series. 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-724; Breen-Gillio catalog; PCGS #10551; NGC #501724; California Fractional Gold Quarter Dollar; Octagonal; Period Two (1859–1882); Washington Head