358
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Session Three - Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 5:00 pm
H
IGHLY
C
OLLECTIBLE
1860 C
LARK
-G
RUBER
T
EN
D
OLLAR
Enlargement
2211
1860 $10 Clark-Gruber. K-3, Rarity 5.
NGC graded EF-45
. Clark, Gruber and Company is the most famous Colorado private gold
minter. The Pike's Peak gold rush began in 1859 but word of the discovery began to spread East, West, South and North in the Fall of 1858.
To further spark the public's interest, unbelievable fabrications began to appear in print, as though the mere reporting would establish the
facts. On September 18, 1858, the Wyandotte Gazette published a "reliable" account concerning $10,000 in gold dust which had come in from
Pike's Peak: "One man brought in $600.00 as the result of a few weeks work. A small boy had $1,000, which he says 'he dug down and
found,'and the little fellow says 'he can get all he wants.” This undocumented account was reprinted in the Missouri Democrat on September
24, and followed the next day by the report of a merchant from St. Joseph, who had come to St. Louis to buy a supply of bacon for the Pike's
Peak trade. This and thousands of other newspaper accounts acted like a magnet to draw hopeful gold seekers to the region from which this
$10 gold coin is an all-too-solid reminder of those half-forgotten days.
The obverse of this famous gold coin shows an unrealistic image of Pikes Peak, resembling a volcano or a large anthill, which was created by
a die sinker in the East who had never been to Colorado or seen this beautiful mountain first recorded by Zebulon Pike on his journey of dis-
covery in 1806. Boldly struck in subtle green-gold with some rose-red highlights, especially within the reverse design. A mark is noted in the
left obverse field and a milling mark is noted in the right reverse field, these being mentioned for future identification purposes. Probably the
most popular Pioneer gold coin in the entire series, and always in great demand.
Pop 2; 52 finer
.
Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................... $20,000 - 24,000
2212
1855 (2001) Kellogg $50 S. S. Central America Com-
memorative Restrike
.
PCGS graded Gem Proof.
Near per-
fect surfaces and bright golden color. A total of 2½ ounces of
gold. Housed in a PCGS special holder.
Estimated Value ..............................................$3,200 - 3,400
C
ALIFORNIA
F
RACTIONAL
G
OLD
Enlargement
2213
1855/4 Quarter Dollar Octagonal Liberty. Breen and Gil-
lio-106, Rarity 3
.
PCGS graded MS-65
. A deeply toned Gem
example of this popular Period One variety. The obverse
exergue has faint laminations, as made.
Pop 10; 3 finer in 66.
(
PCGS # 10375
)
Estimated Value ................................................... $850 - 950
Enlargement
2214
n.d. (1852/3) Quarter Dollar Round Indian. Breen and
Gillio-204, Rarity 5
.
PCGS graded MS-63
. A scarce Period
One variety that has a well engraved portrait of Liberty and an
obviously double punched O in DOLL. Sharply struck with bright
satiny luster and attractive honey-gold surfaces.
Pop 9; 3 finer
in 64.
(
PCGS # 10389
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,400 - 1,500
