1851 $50 Humbert 880 Reeded Edge NGC XF45 CAC
2025/12/01
Won't use again
2025/11/30
super easy. very good site setup to navigate. I would have liked an email product was shipped. The package was just laid on the front porch. Thankfully I was only away from my home for a short period. Product was perfect. Thank you.
2025/11/29
Great prices and customer service.
2025/11/28
No problems encountered
2025/11/28
Have yet to receive the delivery, but was told it was on its way :). Happy Holidays
2025/11/25
A little difficult to maneuver thru the site.
Introduction
The 1851 $50 Humbert 880 Reeded Edge NGC XF45 CAC is one of the most iconic and historically significant gold issues of the California Gold Rush. Known as a “fifty-dollar slug,” this massive gold piece was created to meet the urgent demand for high-value, trustworthy currency in the rapidly developing West. This CAC-approved XF45 example shows excellent originality and strong detail for the grade, making it a remarkable survivor from one of the most storied periods in American numismatic history.
History
During the early 1850s, the discovery of gold in California brought an influx of raw metal but a severe shortage of official U.S. coinage. To support commerce, the United States Assay Office of Gold—operated by Augustus Humbert—produced large, octagonal $50 gold pieces. These Humbert slugs were essential for banking, trade, and large-scale transactions during the height of the Gold Rush and quickly became emblematic of the era.
The 1851 880 fine reeded edge variety is among the most desirable of all Humbert issues. Many circulated heavily, leaving few surviving examples with strong detail and appealing surfaces. An XF45 coin certified by NGC and verified by CAC represents both historical importance and notable quality.
Design
The obverse features Humbert’s name within a bold octagonal frame, along with inscriptions denoting the coin’s value and gold fineness. The reverse displays the U.S. Assay Office eagle surrounded by inscriptions confirming weight and value. The reeded edge variety enhances the coin’s distinct character and makes it immediately recognizable among Gold Rush-era issues.
This NGC XF45 CAC example shows clear definition, pleasing originality, and the rugged visual appeal expected of an authentic artifact of the California Gold Rush—making it an exceptional addition to any advanced numismatic collection.
| Mint | P |
|---|---|
| Metal | Gold |
| Year | 1851 |
| Fineness | 0.880 |
| Diameter | 50 mm |
| Weight | 4.166 |
A LITTLE STICKER MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Within each number of the coin grading scale is a small range of condition from low-end to high-end. Certified coins of the same grade can be of varying quality. Many of today’s collectors want coins that are solid or premium quality for their assigned grade. CAC holds coins to a higher standard so you can be confident in the value of yours. We verify previously graded coins … and award our sticker only to those coins that meet the standard for today’s selective buyer.
WHAT THE CAC STICKER MEANS:
- Verified. Your coin has been verified as meeting the standard for strict quality within its grade.
- Guaranteed. CAC stands behind our verification.
THE CAC STICKER IS BACKED BY EXPERIENCE.
CAC was founded by leading members of the numismatic community, including John Albanese, a respected authority on coin grading and the rare coin market.
Comparison Chart
