1872 Gold Quarter - BG-818, Washington

Coin Details

Auction Record

$7,475 MS66 03-02-2010 Stack's

Description

Cataloged as BG-818 in the Breen-Gillio reference, this 1872 round California gold quarter dollar measures 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 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

Collectible. Period Two California fractional gold coins are encountered more regularly than Period One issues, though all fractional gold remains a specialized collecting area with limited overall supply. 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-818; Breen-Gillio catalog; PCGS #10679; NGC #501818; California Fractional Gold Quarter Dollar; Round; Period Two (1859–1882); Washington Head