The 1848 CAL Quarter Eagle

In December of 1848 the military governor of California, Colonel R. B. Mason, sent the first shipment of gold from California to the Philadelphia Mint. This mere 230 ounces of .894 pure, raw, native "color" proved all the rumors of Gold in California to be true. The decision to coin the refined gold ultimately yielded a mintage of just 1,389 quarter eagles. Each piece was stamped with "CAL" above the eagle on the reverse to distinguish them from regular mintage. Government officials were allowed to purchase these special pieces at face value as a commemorative of the discovery. Many numismatists consider the 1848 Cal. to be the first United States commemorative coin, which adds to the allure. Today, only a few hundred specimens are estimated to exist. At auction a well worn specimen could easily cost over $7,500. A nicely detailed but circulated specimen would fetch $15,000 to $18,000. And for a nice mint state specimen, be ready to pay somewhere above the $25,000 mark. Now that's history in your hands!

Disclaimer: I do not own many of the coins pictured on this website. My modest collection is kept in a bank safe deposit box at all times. I do enjoy examining and studying these fascinating coins and artifacts. If you have quality scans of California gold rush coins, artifacts, or assay receipts, I would love to see them for possible inclusion on my web site with or without a photo credit. Please e-mail to goofyft@aol.com. 

Home : Gold Rush : Gold Rush Coins : California Fractional Gold Coins