#47 • 1857 Indian Head California Octagonal Gold Coin

Part of Gold and Silver Showcase (live auction by Blue Box Auction Gallery)

High bid $85.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $100-250 Origin: California, U.S.A Denomination: No denomination marked Year: 1857 Mint: No Offical U.S. mint but minted in California, U.S.A., privately minted Grade/Condition: G Metal: ~90% gold and ~10% copper Weight (+/- 0.2g): 0.3 grams Additional Description: Minted in 1857 during the California Gold Rush, this octagonal Indian Head gold coin represents one of the most distinctive issues of the period, blending artistic ambition with the practical demands of a rapidly expanding frontier economy. The obverse features a stylized Native American profile, a motif that reflects both the romanticized imagery and the aspirations of early California coinage, while the reverse bears the denomination within a simple yet purposeful design, optimized for everyday commercial use. Believed to be of G (Good) grade, the coin exhibits wear consistent with circulation in a bustling gold economy, yet its unique octagonal form and historical context remain fully appreciable.