An octagonal gold coin of 1851

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

An octagonal gold U.S. coin of 50 dollars is announced by Bowers and Merena for the sale of September 13 in Beverly Hills, lot 681.

The press release links to the referenced lot in the catalogue, a feature that I had already appreciated in one of the most direct competitors of this auction house.

The characteristic of this coin is that it is in mint condition. No one of this type (known as Augustus Humbert) has apparently never been seen in such a perfect condition. Other mint coins are known, but due to production conditions at that time they are generally tarnished. This coin previously unknown on the market appears with a luster that the boss of the auction house considered impossible for this model.

Dating back to 1851, it is contemporary of the gold rushes of California.

It is a true pleasure, even for the layman, to view this remarkable item of unusual shape with maximum magnification on the site of the auction house.

I did not find the estimate in the catalogue, but the current bid is 250 K $.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Prices have climbed up to 460 K $ including fees. So it is what we have to pay for an old US coin of gold rush time, of unusual shape, in such an exceptional condition that we can talk about perfection. Good.