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Pioneer Gold Set
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Private, Pioneer & Territorial Gold Type Set
Private,
Pioneer & Territorial Gold Type Set
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DENOMINATION
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TYPE
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DATE
RANGE
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GOLD
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19th
CENTURY TERRITORIAL
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$10
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US
ASSAY OF GOLD
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1852-1853
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$20
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US
ASSAY OF GOLD
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1853
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$50
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US
ASSAY OF GOLD
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1852
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$1
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C.
BECHTLER
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1831-1842
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$2
1/2
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C.
BECHTLER
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1831-1842
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$5
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C.
BECHTLER
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1831-1842
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$10
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CLARK
GRUBER
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1860
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$50
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HUMBERT
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REEDED
EDGE
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1851
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$20
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KELLOGG
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1854-1855
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$5
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MOFFAT
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1849-1850
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$20
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MOFFAT
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1853
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$5
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MORMON
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1849-1850
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$10
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WASS
MOLITOR
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1852,
1855
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25C
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CALIFORNIA
FRACTIONAL GOLD
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SUPRESSED
JEWELERS ISSUES
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1859-1882
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50C
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CALIFORNIA
FRACTIONAL GOLD
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SUPRESSED
JEWELERS ISSUES
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1859-1882
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$1
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CALIFORNIA
FRACTIONAL GOLD
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SUPRESSED
JEWELERS ISSUES
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1859-1876
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Territorial and Private Gold Coins
During the 19th century numerous assayers, bankers, and others produced gold coins which served as a circulating medium in areas in which federal coins were scarce or non-existent.
Beginning in 1830. Christopher and August Bechtler in North Carolina struck gold coins of $1, $2.50, and $5 denominations. When the Charlotte and Dahlonega mints began operations in the same general area in 1838, the private coinage of the Bechtlers was not interfered with by the government.
In California during the Gold Rush the United States Assay Office of Gold, an agency (but not an official mint) of the government, produced coins valued from $10 up to the large and impressive $50 octagonal gold "slugs." Moffat, Miners Bank, Baldwin, Dubosq, Kellogg, and others struck and distributed a wide variety of types and designs of gold coins with face values from $5 to $50.
The Mormons in Salt Lake City, Utah struck gold coins dated 1849, 1850, and 1860. These are highly desired today. A private partnership in Oregon made $5 and $10 pieces. In Colorado several coiners, the firm of Clark, Gruber & Co. prominent among them, produced pieces of denominations from $2.50 to $20.
Territorial and private gold coins are highly prized today. Most exist in circulated grades from Very Fine to AU. Mint State examples are rare, except for certain issues. Few American series embody as much history and romance as do these numismatic souvenirs from the last century.
Budget Recommendations: No recommendations here, as low-grade territorial and private coins are apt to be quite unattractive and/or damaged. Consider what I have to say under the following listing.
Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Study the availability of various issues and build a type set of some of the more readily available varieties. I suggest EF-40 or better grades.
Elite Recommendations: As stated, but acquire AU-50 or higher grades, as available. Develop a specialty, such as Bechtler gold coinage, gold pieces issued by Clark, Gruber & Co., or and example of each of the fabulous $50 gold pieces from the U.S. Assay Office, Augustus Humbert, Wass Molitor and Kellogg.
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