United States of America 1855 Philadelphia California Fractional Gold 25¢

Coin / United States of America / 1855 / Philadelphia / California Fractional Gold / 25¢ (Twenty Five Cents, Quarter)

The coin in question is a California Fractional Gold piece, specifically a 25¢ denomination minted in 1855-1856 at the Philadelphia Mint. California Fractional Gold coins were produced during a time when the Gold Rush led to a shortage of small denomination currency, and these privately minted coins were designed to fill that gap. This particular coin features the year "1855/4" displayed on it, indicating its unique production date that reflects the transition from 1855 to 1856. The coin's diameter, width, and weight are unspecified in this instance, which is unusual for coin specifics but is often the case for fractional gold pieces, as they were sometimes issued in irregular shapes and sizes. With no mint mark, it signifies that it was produced without special markings that would indicate its place of minting, common for coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The edge type is also listed as "N/A," perhaps indicating it does not have a unique or distinguishing edge design. The material specification of "Other" illustrates that the coin may contain a blend of metals typical of fractional gold coins, generally not pure gold but including alloys to create a practical currency. The reported mintage of 0 suggests that this coin could be particularly rare or not officially documented in terms of quantity, possibly pointing to the fact that many were melted down or lost over time. In summary, this California Fractional Gold coin, despite lacking some specific numerical details, represents an interesting and valuable piece of American numismatic history tied to the Gold Rush era, emphasizing the need for smaller denominations at that time. Its historical context, coupled with the unique features and the preservation state can contribute to its appraisal in the collector's market.