The coin has been confirmed by numismatists as one of only 12 "Quarter Eagles" known to exist from the 246 that were made at the San Francisco Mint in 1854.
The Quarter Eagle is about the size of a dime and
was made from Gold Rush ore at the San Francisco Mint just months after it opened. It contains one-eighth ounce of California gold.The anonymous seller's great-grandfather acquired the coin between 1856 and 1858 while working the gold fields, according to the American Numismatic Rarities of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, which auctioned the coin Sunday.
"They took exceptional care of this important piece of American history for nearly 150 years," said John Pack of American Numismatic Rarities. "In fact, it is the second finest known surviving example."
The coin, which was expected to sell for at least $150,000, opened at $140,000 and quickly jumped in $5,000 and $10,000 increments before going to an anonymous collector for the final price.
From CNN and AP sources.
6 dollars worth, for Comments/Questions click here.:
My daughter found a 1944-1 peseta near a coin machine in a grocery store. We studied it for a homeschool project, but aren't sure if it has any value.
So many countries make Peseta coins that I would need a country of origin or any words written on the coin.
Any WWII coin has low value and a Spain peseta from 1944 is at least worth $0.25 in very fine grade.
How much is a 1987 Italian Lira worth? It looks two toned with a woman in the front. Is this coin 14k gold ?
1987 Italian Lira worth? It looks two toned with a woman in the front. Is this coin 14k gold ?
No such thing as a two-toned 1 Lira from Italy maybe a picture or better description would help. There are no 14K gold coins.
Hello! I've just discovered your website and have spent half the day checking out my old family coins -- none of which turned out to be worth anything. BUT! The last coin in the collection looks very much like the 1854 "Quarter Eagle" you picture here, but with enough differences that I'm not sure. It's a VERY thin,gold coin, measures only 1/2 inch across, and the eagle on the back has been worn down enough that the grain and arrows are barely recognizeable. Around the Eagle it says "United States of America" and underneath the eagle "ONE D. ." (I assume that means "one dollar?") On the reverse side, the female profile looks like the 1854 "Quarter Eagle" coin, but without pearls in her hair and without the single extra curl down the middle of the neck. On her tiara, I can find no trace of the word "Liberty" ever having been there. The lower edge of the neck is not so horizontal, but angles up to the right a bit. There are 13 stars surrounding her face AND...and here's what has me wondering...there is NO DATE! The stars are very worn down, and the side edge of the coin is so worn that you can barely recognize the tiny ridge marks. Does this sound like anything you've ever heard of?? Would be very grateful for any suggestions!
Thanks -- an American in Germany
The last coin in the collection looks very much like the 1854 "Quarter Eagle" you picture here, but with enough differences that I'm not sure.
It's a game counter or play money, also known as Spielmarke.
These were made in Germany in the 1850s, the average about $10.00.
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