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Territorial Values

Before 1857, U.S. coinage was not the only legal tender in the United States. This led to many foreign coins and private issues circulating alongside U.S. money. Even after 1857, some smaller private issues and state coins saw use in the Western U.S. states where Precious Metal coins were harder to come by. Private coins were usually struck to service a shortage in U.S. coinage. Most of these coins are incredibly rare due to low mintages.

New York – Machin’s Mills – 1747 – 1788

Learn about Machin’s Mills, an unauthorized late-18th-century mint in New York that produced large quantities of imitation British halfpennies and other coins to fill chronic shortages of small change after the American Revolution.

Coinage of Vermont – 1785 – 1788

From landscape scenes to British-style imitations, these Vermont coppers trace a fascinating design transition.

Coinage of New York – Brasher Doubloon – 1742 – 1787

The 1787 Brasher Doubloons were bold experimental pieces crafted by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher before the U.S. Mint ever struck an official coin. Learn more about how these rare doubloons helped shape early American coinage.

All Territorial Values Resources

Wass, Molitor & Co. – San Francisco – 1852 – 1855

Wass, Molitor & Co. operated an assay office in the early 1850s and issued private gold coins in several denominations in San Francisco. Learn about

US Assay Office – 1852 & 1853

The United States Assay Office of Gold helped ease California’s coin shortage. Learn more about how quasi-official issues bridged the gap until the San Francisco

Templeton Reid – Georgia Gold – 1830

Learn about how Reid’s Georgia-minted $2.50, $5, and $10 gold coins filled an urgent need, and why their short lifespan makes them historically significant today.

Templeton Reid – California Gold – 1849

Learn about why only two of Templeton Reid’s 1849 gold coins are known today and what that scarcity suggests about their brief, uncertain story.

Pacific Company – San Francisco – 1849

The Pacific Company was established in California in 1849 to strike gold coins during the Gold Rush. Learn more about how their name lived on

Oregon Exchange Company – 1849

In 1849, the Oregon Exchange Company struck $5 and $10 gold coins to fill a shortage of federal money in the Oregon Territory, using native

Norris, Gregg & Norris Gold Coins – 1849

In 1849, Norris, Gregg & Norris struck some of the earliest California private $5 gold coins. Learn more about why these Half Eagles became a

Mormon Gold – Salt Lake City – 1849 – 1860

California gold didn’t just fuel San Francisco, some of the earliest coins struck during the Gold Rush were minted by the Latter-day Saints in Salt

Moffat & Co. Gold Coins – 1849

Learn why Moffat & Co. is recognized as one of the most important and accurate assay offices during the California Gold Strike.

Moffat –Humbert – 1852

Learn about how these scarce Moffat–Humbert issues bridged the gap between assay ingots and federal coinage.

Miner’s Bank- San Francisco Gold – 1849

The Miner’s Bank was among the earliest firms to issue private gold coins in California during the first year of the Gold Rush. Learn how

Massachusetts & California Co – 1849

The Massachusetts & California Company planned to strike Gold Rush coinage in 1849, but their rare $5 gold coins were likely made in Massachusetts instead.

Kellogg & Co. – San Francisco – 1854 – 1855

Learn more about how Kellogg & Company’s brief but important private minting operation helped stabilize San Francisco’s gold-based economy.

John Parsons & Co. – CO Gold – 1861

Learn more about famously rare coins from John Parsons & Co. and the believed location of the Mint.

J. S. Ormsby – Sacramento – 1849

J. S. Ormsby & Company briefly struck private gold coins in Sacramento in late 1849. Learn more about why only five Ormsby gold coins are

J. J. Conway & Co., – CO – 1861

Learn about Conway’s short-lived Georgia Gulch operation and why these emergency-era coins are among the great rarities of early Colorado gold.

J. H. Bowie – Cal. Gold – 1849

Joseph H. Bowie, a member of the extended Bowie family, produced one of the rarest California Gold Rush coins in 1849. Learn more about Bowie’s

Dunbar & Co. – San Francisco – 1851

Edward Dunbar struck $5 gold pieces in Gold Rush–era San Francisco, crafting coins that looked so close to federal designs that merchants eagerly accepted them.

Dubosq & Company – San Francisco – 1850

Learn about Dubosq & Company, a short-lived private assayer active during the early California Gold Rush that produced rare private-issue gold pieces in 1850.

Clark, Gruber & Company, Denver 1860 – 1861

Long before Denver had a U.S. Mint, Clark, Gruber & Co. was turning freshly mined Pike’s Peak gold into coins that circulated throughout Colorado. Learn

Cincinnati Mining & Trading Co. – 1849

Learn how the Cincinnati Mining & Trading Company is associated with a very small group of private-issue gold pieces that were intended for use during

Wass, Molitor & Co. – San Francisco – 1852 – 1855

Wass, Molitor & Co. operated an assay office in the early 1850s and issued private gold coins in several denominations in San Francisco. Learn about how their coins earned public confidence and circulated successfully alongside federal issues.

US Assay Office – 1852 & 1853

The United States Assay Office of Gold helped ease California’s coin shortage. Learn more about how quasi-official issues bridged the gap until the San Francisco Mint began striking federal gold coins in 1854.

Templeton Reid – Georgia Gold – 1830

Learn about how Reid’s Georgia-minted $2.50, $5, and $10 gold coins filled an urgent need, and why their short lifespan makes them historically significant today.

Templeton Reid – California Gold – 1849

Learn about why only two of Templeton Reid’s 1849 gold coins are known today and what that scarcity suggests about their brief, uncertain story.

Pacific Company – San Francisco – 1849

The Pacific Company was established in California in 1849 to strike gold coins during the Gold Rush. Learn more about how their name lived on through hand-struck gold coins made from their original dies.

Oregon Exchange Company – 1849

In 1849, the Oregon Exchange Company struck $5 and $10 gold coins to fill a shortage of federal money in the Oregon Territory, using native gold and locally made dies. Learn about how these short-lived “Beaver” coins circulated widely despite crude workmanship and a mint that operated for only a few months.

Norris, Gregg & Norris Gold Coins – 1849

In 1849, Norris, Gregg & Norris struck some of the earliest California private $5 gold coins. Learn more about why these Half Eagles became a standout symbol of Gold Rush-era commerce and improvisation.

Mormon Gold – Salt Lake City – 1849 – 1860

California gold didn’t just fuel San Francisco, some of the earliest coins struck during the Gold Rush were minted by the Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. Read to learn more about the short-lived “Mormon gold” series, its unusual designs, and why many pieces were later discounted and melted outside the community.

Moffat & Co. Gold Coins – 1849

Learn why Moffat & Co. is recognized as one of the most important and accurate assay offices during the California Gold Strike.

Moffat –Humbert – 1852

Learn about how these scarce Moffat–Humbert issues bridged the gap between assay ingots and federal coinage.

Miner’s Bank- San Francisco Gold – 1849

The Miner’s Bank was among the earliest firms to issue private gold coins in California during the first year of the Gold Rush. Learn how assay problems and loss of public confidence quickly dissolved the bank.

Massachusetts & California Co – 1849

The Massachusetts & California Company planned to strike Gold Rush coinage in 1849, but their rare $5 gold coins were likely made in Massachusetts instead. Learn more about this short-lived private mint and the coins left behind.

Kellogg & Co. – San Francisco – 1854 – 1855

Learn more about how Kellogg & Company’s brief but important private minting operation helped stabilize San Francisco’s gold-based economy.

John Parsons & Co. – CO Gold – 1861

Learn more about famously rare coins from John Parsons & Co. and the believed location of the Mint.

J. S. Ormsby – Sacramento – 1849

J. S. Ormsby & Company briefly struck private gold coins in Sacramento in late 1849. Learn more about why only five Ormsby gold coins are known to survive today and what they reveal about the risks of early Gold Rush minting.

J. J. Conway & Co., – CO – 1861

Learn about Conway’s short-lived Georgia Gulch operation and why these emergency-era coins are among the great rarities of early Colorado gold.

J. H. Bowie – Cal. Gold – 1849

Joseph H. Bowie, a member of the extended Bowie family, produced one of the rarest California Gold Rush coins in 1849. Learn more about Bowie’s brief role in early private gold coinage and the coin he produced.

Dunbar & Co. – San Francisco – 1851

Edward Dunbar struck $5 gold pieces in Gold Rush–era San Francisco, crafting coins that looked so close to federal designs that merchants eagerly accepted them. Learn more about how even his accurately made coins were swept up in the era’s distrust and largely lost to melting.

Dubosq & Company – San Francisco – 1850

Learn about Dubosq & Company, a short-lived private assayer active during the early California Gold Rush that produced rare private-issue gold pieces in 1850.

Clark, Gruber & Company, Denver 1860 – 1861

Long before Denver had a U.S. Mint, Clark, Gruber & Co. was turning freshly mined Pike’s Peak gold into coins that circulated throughout Colorado. Learn about the rare survivors from the earliest days of Rocky Mountain gold rush commerce.

Cincinnati Mining & Trading Co. – 1849

Learn how the Cincinnati Mining & Trading Company is associated with a very small group of private-issue gold pieces that were intended for use during the California Gold Rush.

Wass, Molitor & Co. – San Francisco – 1852 – 1855

Wass, Molitor & Co. operated an assay office in the early 1850s and issued private gold coins in several denominations in San Francisco. Learn about

US Assay Office – 1852 & 1853

The United States Assay Office of Gold helped ease California’s coin shortage. Learn more about how quasi-official issues bridged the gap until the San Francisco

Templeton Reid – Georgia Gold – 1830

Learn about how Reid’s Georgia-minted $2.50, $5, and $10 gold coins filled an urgent need, and why their short lifespan makes them historically significant today.

Templeton Reid – California Gold – 1849

Learn about why only two of Templeton Reid’s 1849 gold coins are known today and what that scarcity suggests about their brief, uncertain story.

Pacific Company – San Francisco – 1849

The Pacific Company was established in California in 1849 to strike gold coins during the Gold Rush. Learn more about how their name lived on

Oregon Exchange Company – 1849

In 1849, the Oregon Exchange Company struck $5 and $10 gold coins to fill a shortage of federal money in the Oregon Territory, using native

Norris, Gregg & Norris Gold Coins – 1849

In 1849, Norris, Gregg & Norris struck some of the earliest California private $5 gold coins. Learn more about why these Half Eagles became a

Mormon Gold – Salt Lake City – 1849 – 1860

California gold didn’t just fuel San Francisco, some of the earliest coins struck during the Gold Rush were minted by the Latter-day Saints in Salt

Moffat & Co. Gold Coins – 1849

Learn why Moffat & Co. is recognized as one of the most important and accurate assay offices during the California Gold Strike.

Moffat –Humbert – 1852

Learn about how these scarce Moffat–Humbert issues bridged the gap between assay ingots and federal coinage.

Miner’s Bank- San Francisco Gold – 1849

The Miner’s Bank was among the earliest firms to issue private gold coins in California during the first year of the Gold Rush. Learn how

Massachusetts & California Co – 1849

The Massachusetts & California Company planned to strike Gold Rush coinage in 1849, but their rare $5 gold coins were likely made in Massachusetts instead.

Kellogg & Co. – San Francisco – 1854 – 1855

Learn more about how Kellogg & Company’s brief but important private minting operation helped stabilize San Francisco’s gold-based economy.

John Parsons & Co. – CO Gold – 1861

Learn more about famously rare coins from John Parsons & Co. and the believed location of the Mint.

J. S. Ormsby – Sacramento – 1849

J. S. Ormsby & Company briefly struck private gold coins in Sacramento in late 1849. Learn more about why only five Ormsby gold coins are

J. J. Conway & Co., – CO – 1861

Learn about Conway’s short-lived Georgia Gulch operation and why these emergency-era coins are among the great rarities of early Colorado gold.

J. H. Bowie – Cal. Gold – 1849

Joseph H. Bowie, a member of the extended Bowie family, produced one of the rarest California Gold Rush coins in 1849. Learn more about Bowie’s

Dunbar & Co. – San Francisco – 1851

Edward Dunbar struck $5 gold pieces in Gold Rush–era San Francisco, crafting coins that looked so close to federal designs that merchants eagerly accepted them.

Dubosq & Company – San Francisco – 1850

Learn about Dubosq & Company, a short-lived private assayer active during the early California Gold Rush that produced rare private-issue gold pieces in 1850.

Clark, Gruber & Company, Denver 1860 – 1861

Long before Denver had a U.S. Mint, Clark, Gruber & Co. was turning freshly mined Pike’s Peak gold into coins that circulated throughout Colorado. Learn

Cincinnati Mining & Trading Co. – 1849

Learn how the Cincinnati Mining & Trading Company is associated with a very small group of private-issue gold pieces that were intended for use during

Wass, Molitor & Co. – San Francisco – 1852 – 1855

US Assay Office – 1852 & 1853

Templeton Reid – Georgia Gold – 1830

Learn about how Reid’s Georgia-minted $2.50, $5, and $10 gold coins filled an urgent need, and why their short lifespan makes them historically significant today.

Templeton Reid – California Gold – 1849

Learn about why only two of Templeton Reid’s 1849 gold coins are known today and what that scarcity suggests about their brief, uncertain story.

Pacific Company – San Francisco – 1849

Oregon Exchange Company – 1849

Norris, Gregg & Norris Gold Coins – 1849

Mormon Gold – Salt Lake City – 1849 – 1860

Moffat & Co. Gold Coins – 1849

Learn why Moffat & Co. is recognized as one of the most important and accurate assay offices during the California Gold Strike.

Moffat –Humbert – 1852

Learn about how these scarce Moffat–Humbert issues bridged the gap between assay ingots and federal coinage.

Miner’s Bank- San Francisco Gold – 1849

Massachusetts & California Co – 1849

Kellogg & Co. – San Francisco – 1854 – 1855

Learn more about how Kellogg & Company’s brief but important private minting operation helped stabilize San Francisco’s gold-based economy.

John Parsons & Co. – CO Gold – 1861

Learn more about famously rare coins from John Parsons & Co. and the believed location of the Mint.

J. S. Ormsby – Sacramento – 1849

J. J. Conway & Co., – CO – 1861

Learn about Conway’s short-lived Georgia Gulch operation and why these emergency-era coins are among the great rarities of early Colorado gold.

J. H. Bowie – Cal. Gold – 1849

Dunbar & Co. – San Francisco – 1851

Dubosq & Company – San Francisco – 1850

Learn about Dubosq & Company, a short-lived private assayer active during the early California Gold Rush that produced rare private-issue gold pieces in 1850.

Clark, Gruber & Company, Denver 1860 – 1861

Cincinnati Mining & Trading Co. – 1849

Learn how the Cincinnati Mining & Trading Company is associated with a very small group of private-issue gold pieces that were intended for use during the California Gold Rush.