No Date Gold Quarter - BG-1314

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as BG-1314 in the Breen-Gillio reference, this undated 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 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. This undated piece presents a particular challenge for researchers, as the absence of a date makes precise attribution to a specific year or maker more difficult. Undated California fractional gold coins may represent pieces where the date was intentionally omitted from the die, or where heavy wear or a striking anomaly has rendered the date illegible. The Breen-Gillio catalog assigns separate numbers to undated varieties, recognizing them as distinct die products worthy of individual study.

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-1314; Breen-Gillio catalog; NGC #502314; California Fractional Gold Quarter Dollar; Round; Period Two (1859–1882)