1855 Kellogg & Co. $20. K-3. Rarity-4. Long Arrows. AU-53 (NGC).

1855 Kellogg & Co. $20. K-3. Rarity-4. Long Arrows. AU-53 (NGC).，This is a handsome example of one of the more historically significant issues among privately produced California Gold Rush coinage. The strike is sharp to full in most areas, the overall detail suggestive a higher AU rating. Light golden yellow surfaces exhibit a somewhat matte-like texture with the scattered handling marks that almost always accompany circulated examples of this type. All in all, an uncommonly well preserved and aesthetically pleasing example of both the type and issue. <p>Kellogg & Co. produced some 300,000 $20 gold pieces in 1854 and 1855, the firms coining activities filling a critical void in the commerce of Gold Rush California since it came between the dissolution of the United States Assay Office of Gold in 1853 and the delivery of the first double eagles from the San Francisco Mint. Even though the federal Mint placed its first double eagles into circulation in 1854, and operations continued apace through 1855 and beyond, the Kellogg & Co. pieces of both years were eagerly sought by local businesses. On the other hand, once San Francisco Mint gold coinage became firmly established in commercial channels, many of their privately produced predecessors were melted for their bullion content. Survivors of the 1855 Kellogg & Co. $20 issue are certainly scarce in an absolute sense.，From the Marc Kravit Collection.，