1853 G$1 BG-604 Eagle (Regular Strike)

Series: California Fractional Gold

PCGS MS62, ex Jay Roe, Lot 137<BR>Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.bowersandmerena.com" target="_blank">Bowers and Merena Auctions</a>

PCGS MS62, ex Jay Roe, Lot 137
Image courtesy of Bowers and Merena Auctions

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PCGS #:: 10520

Designer:: N/A

Edge:: N/A

Diameter:: N/A

Weight:: N/A

Mintage:: N/A

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: Other

Auction Record:: $82,800 • MS63 • 07-25-2005 • American Numismatic Rarities

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Major Varieties

1853 G$1 BG-604 Eagle

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	3	R-9.8	51 / 580 TIE	51 / 580 TIE
60 or Better	2	R-9.9	37 / 580 TIE	37 / 580 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 580	1 / 580

Survival Estimate
All Grades	3
60 or Better	2
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-9.8
60 or Better	R-9.9
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	51 / 580 TIE
60 or Better	37 / 580 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 580

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	51 / 580 TIE
60 or Better	37 / 580 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 580

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS62 PCGS estimated grade		Plate coin in Breen-Gillio, second edition (2003) Superior 9/1987:4487 - Goliad Corp, sold privately on 8/26/1991 via Mike Brownlee for a reported $100,000 - Jay Roe Collection - Bowers & Merena 9/2003:137, $80,500 - American Numismatic Rarities 7/2005:20, $82,800 Believed to be ex F.C.C. Boyd Collection - New Netherlands Fixed Price List of July/August 1957:5194, $225
2	AU details, obverse damage		Possibly John W. Scott, possibly A.G. Heaton (per the Heritage 1/206 catalog) - Waldo C. Newcomer Collection - T. James Clarke Collection - New Netherlands 4/1956:683, $200 - Donald R. Hyink Collection - Elbert Henry Gary Collection - Heritage 1/2016:5730, $82,250

#1 MS62 PCGS estimated grade

Plate coin in Breen-Gillio, second edition (2003)

Superior 9/1987:4487 - Goliad Corp, sold privately on 8/26/1991 via Mike Brownlee for a reported $100,000 - Jay Roe Collection - Bowers & Merena 9/2003:137, $80,500 - American Numismatic Rarities 7/2005:20, $82,800

Believed to be ex F.C.C. Boyd Collection - New Netherlands Fixed Price List of July/August 1957:5194, $225

#2 AU details, obverse damage

Possibly John W. Scott, possibly A.G. Heaton (per the Heritage 1/206 catalog) - Waldo C. Newcomer Collection - T. James Clarke Collection - New Netherlands 4/1956:683, $200 - Donald R. Hyink Collection - Elbert Henry Gary Collection - Heritage 1/2016:5730, $82,250

Ron Guth:

The 1853 BG-604 Gold Dollar is one of the most desirable of all the California Fractional Gold pieces. It is certainly, the most valuable. Jay Roe paid a reported $100,000 for the best of only two known examples. When Roe's collection was sold in 2003, the coin realized $80,500. In 2005, the coin resold for $82,800, and it would probably be worth over $100,000 again today.

The obverse of this variety features a Liberty Head facing left; the initial's "G.G." beneath the bust stand for Gaime, Guillemot & Co., for whom the coin was made by Frontier, Deviercy & Co. The unique reverse of this variety has an unusual, fatty eagle with a crest atop its head resembling that of a cockatoo. This is the only round Dollar with an eagle on the reverse.

The only other example known to exist shows the details of an About Uncirculated coin, but it has a small patch of heavy scratches in the left obverse field opposite Liberty's eye. That coin, which had been off the market since 1956, reappeared in the January 2016 Heritage auction.