This section lists gold coins that were struck outside the U.S. Mint. These pieces circulated widely in isolated areas of the United States where there was a shortage of U.S. Minted coins for commerce.
Carolina Gold. 27G, 21C, Plain Edge. Christopher and Augustus Bechtler minted gold coinage in Rutherford County, NC from 1831 to 1852. Rutherford County and other areas of the Piedmont region of North Carolina and Georgia were primary sources of gold until the Califonia gold rush. This example is boldly struck with semi proof-like surfaces and deep reddish-gold luster. Exceptionally flashy with fantastic eye appeal.
BG-221. Quarter Dollar. Liberty Head, Round.
Similar in design to the regular $5 Liberty except Moffat & Co appears on the coronet instead of LIBERTY and the reverse has the legend S.M.V. California Gold replacing UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This nearly mint state example of this relatively crude coin has nice detail and plenty of light yellow-gold luster remaining.
Moffat & Co. of San Francisco struck rectangular gold ingots and gold coins. They produced $5 pieces in 1849 and 1850 and $10 pieces in 1849. The words MOFFAT & CO appear on Liberty's coronet instead of LIBERTY as seen on regular U.S. Mint issues. This is one of the few mint state survivors of their coinage. It is well struck except for just a touch of softness over the ear and has bright lustrous surfaces.
BG-302. Fifty Cent. Octagonal Liberty Head. R-4. "Peacock" reverse. One of the most distinctive of all California Gold Coins. The reverse shows an eagle perched on an arrow with his tail below and surrounded by 'glory rays'. The long-necked eagle resembles a Peacock, thus the nickname.
BG-510. One Dollar. Octagonal Liberty Head. Low Rarity-5. A Frontier, Deciercy issue with the FD initial on the reverse. Proof-like surfaces give this bright lustrous coin a generous amount of flash!
BG-507 One Dollar. Octagonal Liberty Head. High R-6. A challenging variety with lustrous yellow-gold surfaces. Well struck except for some weakness in the date.
BG-1102. One Dollar. Octagonal Liberty Head. Rarity-4. Crudely struck by Frontier, Deviercy and Co. in San Francisco. The surfaces are a bright yellow-gold and very flashy.
BG-804. Quarter Dollar. Round, Liberty Head. R-4.
BG-737. 25C. Liberty Head Octagonal. R-5. Flashy yellow-gold surfaces and a sharp strike.
BG-1205. Round Dollar. Goofy Head. High R-4. Nearly new with a sharp strike and flashy surfaces.
BG-1108. One Dollar. Octagonal Liberty Head. Rarity-7, just 8 to 12 known. Lustrous although crudely struck from a buckled reverse die.
BG-1205. One Dollar. Round Liberty Head. High R-4. Sharply struck and flashy 'Goofy Head' variety.
BG-1010. Fifty Cent, Round Liberty Head. R-3.
BG-867. 25C. Round Liberty Head. R-4. A well struck 'Goofy Head' variety with super flashy yellow-gold surfaces and a sharp strike.
BG-860. Quarter Dollar. Round Liberty Head. Low R-6.
BG-860. Quarter Dollar. Octagonal Liberty Head. Low R-6. Super flashy and well struck.
BG-1025. Fifty Cent. Round Liberty Head.
BG-722. Washington Head. Quarter Dollar. Octagonal. Low R-4. Extremely popular as the obverse shows a portrait of George Washington. This example is very well struck with lustrous original yellow-gold surfaces.
BG-914. Fifty Cent. Octagonal Liberty Head. R-4.