Quarter Dollar Round, Period 2 (BG-800 to BG-893)

About This Coin

Encompassing BG numbers 800 through 893 in the Breen-Gillio catalog, these Period 2 round gold quarter dollars represent the later phase of California fractional gold quarter production, dating primarily from the 1870s into the early 1880s. By this period, the original economic necessity that had driven fractional gold production during the early Gold Rush years had largely dissipated, and these diminutive gold pieces were increasingly manufactured as souvenir items, jewelry components, and collectibles rather than functional circulating money. Round quarter dollars in Period 2 typically feature Liberty head or Indian head designs in a compact format, struck in gold of varying fineness by San Francisco-area jewelers and die sinkers. A notable auction result of $24,000 in MS63 grade at Heritage Auctions reflects the strong collector market for high-grade California fractional gold. The BG-800 to BG-893 range encompasses a substantial number of die varieties, making this one of the more populated segments of the Breen-Gillio catalog and offering collectors numerous individual types to pursue. Period 2 quarter dollar rounds are generally more available than their Period 1 counterparts, though specific BG numbers within this range vary considerably in rarity. The series provides an accessible entry point into California fractional gold collecting while still offering sufficient depth for advanced specialists pursuing die variety completeness.