San Francisco State of California $20 Die Trial

Beautiful Copper 1851 San Francisco State of California $20

1851 San Francisco State of California $20 Die Trial. K-4a. Rarity-7-. Copper. Proof-65 BN (PCGS).

Here is an example of this rare and interesting $20 that offers phenomenal quality and eye appeal. Richly toned in antique copper-brown, both sides reveal vivid powder blue undertones, as well as faint remnants of faded pink color. The fields are semi-reflective and support fully impressed, satiny design elements. Carefully preserved and otherwise nice enough to evoke thoughts of a Proof-67 numeric grade. A trivial scuff in the upper left obverse field is mentioned both for accuracy and as a useful identifier to track this significant coin in future market appearances. The die trials of the enigmatic San Francisco State of California were likely produced by an English firm as a proposed general coinage for Gold Rush California. The workmanship of these pieces is certainly superior to that of many die trials prepared on the U.S. East Coast by aspiring California coiners such as Moran & Clark. Additionally, Kagin (1981) notes that many San Francisco State of California die trials entered the U.S. numismatic market as part of four-piece sets that included one example each of the $2.50, $5, $10 and $20. The existence of these sets suggests an initial distribution to collectors, something that is completely acceptable for English firm during the 1850s but which would have been highly unusual for a speculative private coiner on the East Coast of the United States during the same decade. Additionally, the San Francisco State of California pieces are often encountered in attractive Mint State or unimpaired Proof preservation, again strongly suggestive of numismatic ownership and care since the time of striking. Examples are usually offered individually in today's market, and then again only once in a long while. The beautiful Gem Proof offered here is finer than the primary Ford specimen (PCGS Proof-63 BN) and numbers among the finest San Francisco State of California pieces of any denomination that we have ever had the privilege of bringing to auction. Exquisite!

PCGS# 148727.

Estimate: $ 10000