1851 G50C BG-1320 (Regular Strike)
Obverse & Reverse
The user's request for an '1851 G50C BG-1320' presents a numismatic impossibility that highlights the fascinating and often complex history of California Fractional Gold. The established, authoritative history, meticulously documented by researchers like Walter Breen and Ronald J. Gillio, confirms that the first privately-issued fractional gold pieces did not appear until 1852. The Gold Rush began in 1848, and by 1851, the region was awash in gold dust and large-denomination ingots but suffered from a severe shortage of small-denomination coinage for daily transactions. A pinch of gold dust for a drink or a loaf of bread was an inexact and often contentious method of payment. This acute commercial need spurred private jewelers and metallurgists in San Francisco to begin striking their own quarter-dollar, half-dollar, and dollar coins from native California gold starting in 1852. These pieces, intended to circulate, are known as 'Period One' (1852-1857) issues and are the most historically significant. The Breen-Gillio (BG) cataloging system is the definitive reference for this series, and the number BG-1320 does not correspond to any known, accepted variety of California Fractional Gold. Furthermore, any piece bearing an 1851 date is considered anachronistic and not a genuine product of the historical period. Such items are typically modern replicas, fantasy pieces, or souvenirs created long after the Gold Rush. The genuine series, which continued until the early 1880s, evolved from functional coinage into souvenir items, especially after the Coinage Act of 1864 made private currency illegal. The historical significance of the authentic series lies in its role as an emergency, privately-issued currency that solved a critical problem in a frontier economy, representing a direct link to the chaos and innovation of the California Gold Rush.
Associated EventCalifornia Gold Rush
Reason For MintingA severe shortage of official small-denomination United States coinage for everyday commercial transactions in Gold Rush California prompted private minting.
Minter HistoryWhile this specific variety is unlisted, the broader California Fractional Gold series was produced by dozens of private firms, often operated by jewelers and metallurgists. Prominent Period One minters included Antoine Louis Nouizillet, the firm of Frontier, Deviercy & Co., and others who saw a commercial opportunity in remedying the region's coinage crisis. Their operations were typically small-scale, using hand-operated presses, which resulted in significant variations in strike quality and design.
Historical SignificanceThe California Fractional Gold series is a tangible artifact of American frontier economics, representing a private solution to a government failure in supplying adequate currency. The coins, though often underweight, facilitated commerce and demonstrated the resourcefulness of pioneers. Their diminutive size and gold content make them one of the most distinctive and widely collected series in American numismatics.
N/A
Denomination$0.50 (Fifty Cents)
Minting Period1852-1882 (Series); Requested 1851 Date is Pre-Series
Assayer/MinterUnknown (Variety Unlisted)
Geographic OriginSan Francisco, California (Primarily)
Obverse DescriptionNot applicable. BG-1320 is not a listed variety in the Breen-Gillio reference. Generally, 50 Cent pieces of the period feature a Liberty head or an Indian head design, surrounded by stars.
Obverse Inscription Reverse DescriptionNot applicable. BG-1320 is not a listed variety. Generally, the reverse of a 50 Cent piece would feature the denomination (e.g., '1/2 DOLLAR' or '50 CENTS') within a wreath.
Reverse Inscription CompositionGold (in authentic period pieces)
Stated Fineness Actual FinenessVaried widely by minter and period. Early issues (Period One) could be around .800 to .900 fine, while later issues were often of lower fineness and significantly underweight.
EdgePlain (most common for the series)
0 (Unlisted Variety)
Survival Estimate0 (Unlisted Variety)
Rarity ScaleNot Applicable (Unlisted Variety)
Authentic California Fractional Gold coins are highly sought after for their direct connection to the Gold Rush, their unique status as private currency, and their charming, miniature designs. The challenge of collecting by variety, as cataloged by Breen-Gillio, provides a lifetime pursuit for specialists. The series is divided into 'Period One' (1852-1857, for circulation), 'Period Two' (1858-1882, mostly souvenirs), and 'Period Three' (post-1882 tokens), each with its own collector base.
Key VarietiesSince BG-1320 is not a recognized variety, collectors focus on the hundreds of genuine BG-numbered varieties. Key varieties for the series include: any authenticated 'Period One' issue intended for circulation, the unique 'Defiant Eagle' quarter dollar (BG-220), issues with the 'Arms of California' design, and pieces made by well-documented minters. There are no known official restrikes, but a vast number of replica and fantasy pieces (often dated 1849-1851 or with nonsensical inscriptions) were produced in the 20th century as inexpensive souvenirs. These are typically gold-plated base metal and have no numismatic value.
Authentication TipsExtreme caution is advised. The single most important diagnostic is the anachronistic 1851 date; no genuine fractional gold pieces were made in that year. The Breen-Gillio number BG-1320 is also unrecognized. Collectors should be wary of pieces with mushy or indistinct details, incorrect lettering styles (fonts), and an unnaturally yellow, brassy color. Authentic pieces were struck in gold, and even worn examples exhibit a characteristic luster and density. Any suspected California Fractional Gold piece, especially one with an unusual date or design, should be authenticated by a major third-party grading service (PCGS or NGC) that specializes in this series.
Shopping ConsiderationsFor a potential buyer of *authentic* California Fractional Gold, a 'premium quality' example is defined by a sharp strike, especially on the high points of the design like Liberty's hair and the details of the wreath. Original, uncleaned surfaces are paramount; many surviving pieces have been harshly cleaned or used as jewelry, which drastically reduces their value. Look for attractive, original reddish-gold or orange-gold toning. Luster can range from satiny to prooflike, with prooflike (PL) or deep mirror prooflike (DMPL) examples commanding significant premiums. Always buy authenticated and graded examples from reputable dealers to avoid the pervasive counterfeits and replicas that plague this series.
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 TypesAll authentic California Fractional Gold pieces made during the operational period (1852-1882) were business strikes intended for either circulation or as souvenirs. They are found in Circulated (1-58) and Mint State (MS, 60-70) grades. No original-period Proofs are known to have been struck. The term 'Prooflike' (PL) is often applied to business strikes that were made with polished dies, a characteristic more common on later-period souvenir issues.
Mint State CharacteristicsIn a genuine Mint State California Half Dollar, quality is defined by strike and surfaces. Many varieties are notoriously weakly struck, particularly in the center of the obverse (Liberty's hair) and reverse (the denomination). A well-struck example with full details is rare and desirable. Luster is typically vibrant and satiny. Due to the softness of the gold and primitive minting and handling, even high-grade uncirculated examples will often display tiny planchet flaws or contact marks. Flawless surfaces are exceptionally rare.
Circulated Wear PatternsOn a genuine Liberty Head half dollar, wear first appears on the highest points: the hair above Liberty's eye and ear, her cheek, and the coronet. On the reverse, the leaves and bow of the wreath will show the first signs of friction. On heavily worn examples, the stars, date, and lettering become faint and can merge with the fields.
Key Factors For ValueFor any authentic California Fractional Gold coin, value is determined by: 1) Rarity of the BG variety (some are unique, others are relatively common). 2) Grade and surface preservation (uncleaned, original surfaces are essential). 3) Strike sharpness (a full strike can be worth multiples of a weakly struck example in the same grade). 4) Eye appeal (attractive toning and luster). A CAC sticker indicating premium quality for the grade carries significant weight in this series, confirming the originality and visual appeal of the coin.