Graded by NGC as a MS-62 so I’m happy with it. An 1869 Round Liberty Quarter struck by a private mint in California. There is a G under Liberty on the obverse and 1/4 at 12 o’clock on the reverse signifying it’s a quarter. The first two photos show the slab and the last two photos show the coin.
Those are amazing and I have two, one is in a bezel and the other isn't, some day I gotta get mine graded as the grade takes it up in price! Yours is unique as it doesn't have the Cal, so that makes it special, to me anyways!
Not sure how universally these are considered "US coins" (as opposed to private issues), but I'm not aware of any smaller US denomination of gold...?
Oh, neat. These are something I haven't done much with. I did once have two of them on my old Holey Gold Hat. One day I would like to have a nice problem-free MS example like yours. United States (California): gold fractional 1/4 dollar, round Liberty head, 1870 United States (California): gold fractional 1/2 dollar, octagonal Liberty head, 187(2?) (Liberty looks like she's about to cry on that second one.)
There was over a grand worth of gold on it at the OLD spot prices (circa 2010). I never wore it except on the bourse floor of shows. All gone, now. Sold all my gold to survive, during the Recession. The current version of that same hat has some fun stuff on it, but no gold.
Nice pickup! I've come to love the fractionals, but honestly so so so many fakes I won't buy uncertified unless I really know and trust the seller... This is my lil tiny 1/4
It is a private issue so it does not qualify as a coin. It is a token. These pieces are an interesting piece of economic history. The first California constitution forbid banks from issuing circulating paper currency. Everyone had to use gold and silver coins, tokens or a “pinch” from a prospector’s bag of gold dust. A piece like this put a limit on the size of the “pinch.” Bartenders with big, thick fingers were probably in great demand in those days!
