1854 G50C BG-1310 (Regular Strike)
Obverse & Reverse
The 1854 Gold 50 Cents, cataloged as Breen-Gillio 1310, is a tangible relic of the chaotic and economically dynamic California Gold Rush. Following the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848, a massive influx of over 300,000 people descended upon California, creating unprecedented demand for goods and services. However, the region suffered from a severe shortage of small-denomination coinage. Gold dust, the primary medium of exchange, was imprecise and cumbersome for everyday transactions like buying a meal or a drink. While large-denomination private gold coins and foreign silver circulated, they did not solve the need for fractional currency. This void prompted private jewelers and metallurgists in San Francisco to begin striking their own small-denomination gold coins in 1852. These 'Period One' (1852-1857) issues, including the BG-1310, were created with the genuine intent of serving as circulating money. Struck by Antoine Louis Nouizillet, a French immigrant jeweler, this piece represents a higher quality of manufacture compared to some cruder contemporaries. Despite the opening of the official U.S. Branch Mint in San Francisco in 1854, the initial output of federal small-denomination coins was insufficient to meet the rampant demand, allowing privately issued fractionals to continue circulating out of necessity. These pieces were technically illegal but tolerated due to their essential role in local commerce. The intrinsic value of the gold in these coins was typically less than their face value, making them a form of token coinage. As the U.S. Mint increased its production in the late 1850s, the need for these private issues waned. The Coinage Act of 1864 officially banned private currency, though production of fractional gold pieces continued as souvenirs and jewelry items for several more years. The BG-1310 and its counterparts are numismatically significant as they represent a grassroots solution to a critical economic problem and embody the entrepreneurial spirit of the Gold Rush era.
Associated EventCalifornia Gold Rush
Reason For MintingTo alleviate a chronic shortage of small-denomination coinage for everyday commercial transactions in Gold Rush-era California.
Minter HistoryAntoine Louis Nouizillet was a French jeweler and one of the most prolific private minters of California Fractional Gold during 'Period One' (1852-1857). Operating in San Francisco, his work is noted for its relatively high quality and artistic merit compared to some of the cruder pieces of the era. Nouizillet was involved in various partnerships, including Deriberpe & Nouizillet (D.N.) and Nouizillet & Routhier (N.R.), as indicated by mintmarks on certain issues. His coinage, like the BG-1310, played a vital role in the commerce of the booming metropolis before the U.S. Mint could adequately supply the region with official coinage.
Historical SignificanceThe BG-1310 is a prime example of Period One California Fractional Gold, which served as an essential circulating medium during the peak of the Gold Rush. Its existence highlights the inadequacy of federal coinage on the West Coast and the ingenuity of private entrepreneurs in meeting economic needs. It stands as a physical artifact of a unique chapter in American monetary history when private mints filled a crucial gap in commerce.
N/A
Denomination50 Cents
Minting Period1854
Assayer/MinterAntoine Louis Nouizillet
Geographic OriginSan Francisco, California
Obverse DescriptionA large, defiant head of Liberty facing left, with a plain coronet in her hair. She is surrounded by thirteen six-pointed stars arranged in an arc above her head, from approximately the 7 o'clock to 5 o'clock position.
Obverse Inscription Reverse DescriptionThe denomination '50 CENTS' is displayed in two lines within a simple, open wreath of laurel leaves tied together at the bottom with a bow. The date '1854' is positioned below the wreath.
Reverse Inscription50 CENTS 1854
CompositionGold
Stated Fineness Actual FinenessVaries, but typically between .500 and .800 fine.
Weight0.90 grams
Diameter13.00 mm
EdgePlain
Unknown
Survival EstimateFewer than 30
Rarity ScaleR-6 (13 to 30 known)
This coin is highly sought after for its connection to the California Gold Rush, its status as a scarce 'Period One' circulating issue, and the attractive, bold design. As an R-6 variety, its rarity is a significant driver of demand among specialists in territorial and fractional gold.
Key VarietiesThe BG-1310 is a specific die marriage. Within the broader series of 1854 50C issues by Nouizillet, collectors seek out different die states showing various levels of wear or cracks. There are no known special collector issues like restrikes or patterns specifically for the BG-1310 variety. The primary variations in the series are the numerous Breen-Gillio die pairings (BG numbers) from different minters.
Authentication TipsAuthentic examples have a characteristic soft, native gold luster and often show a slightly crude, uneven strike from the hammer minting process. Check for sharp, well-defined letters and stars, though some softness is expected. The specific die markers for BG-1310, such as the exact placement of stars relative to Liberty's profile and any known die cracks, are crucial. Counterfeits are common and may appear overly sharp, have a brassy color, incorrect weight, or exhibit tool marks or casting bubbles.
Shopping ConsiderationsA premium quality example for its grade will possess a strong, well-centered strike, especially on Liberty's hair and the wreath details. Original, uncleaned surfaces with some remaining mint luster command significant premiums. Look for attractive, mellow reddish-gold toning. Common problems include cleaning, which dulls the luster and imparts hairlines, and previous use in jewelry, resulting in solder marks, rim damage, or holes (though sometimes repaired). Given the rarity, even problem-free circulated examples in VF or XF are highly desirable. Pay close attention to the integrity of the planchet and avoid pieces with significant scratches or rim bumps.
A coin's grade is its condition, rated on a 1-70 scale. For rare coins, this is the most critical factor in determining value, as a tiny difference in preservation can mean a huge difference in price.
Relevant Grade TypesOriginal period issues of BG-1310 were business strikes intended for circulation and are found in Circulated (1-58) and Mint State (MS, 60-70) grades. No Proofs were struck during the original minting period. No later-date Proof restrikes or special collector strikings of this specific variety are known to exist; therefore, any coin represented as a 'Proof' BG-1310 should be viewed with extreme skepticism.
Mint State CharacteristicsUncirculated examples are exceptionally rare. A true Mint State BG-1310 would exhibit full, soft satiny luster, though it may be slightly subdued due to the gold alloy. The strike is often somewhat weak in the very center of both sides due to the hand-hammering process. Small planchet flaws or adjustment marks are not uncommon and may not detract significantly from the grade if they are as-made. Contact marks, even small ones, are common on the high points of Liberty's cheek and hair due to the softness of the gold.
Circulated Wear PatternsWear first appears on the highest points of the design: Liberty's cheek, hair details above her eye, and the coronet. On the reverse, the high points of the wreath's leaves and the bow will show the first signs of friction. In lower grades (Fine and below), the stars will begin to merge with the field, and the finer details of the wreath will be completely worn away.
Key Factors For ValueFor the BG-1310, value is driven primarily by rarity, followed by grade and eye appeal. A sharp strike that brings out the full detail of the dies is a major premium factor. Surface quality is paramount; an example with original, undisturbed luster and minimal distracting marks will be far more valuable than a cleaned or damaged coin of the same technical grade. Attractive, original toning adds to eye appeal. A CAC sticker, indicating premium quality for the grade, will add a significant premium, as it provides third-party verification of the coin's superior attributes.