"ARMS OF CALIFORNIA" GOLD HALF FIRST APPEARANCE?

 

I'm working on a third edition of Breen-Gillio, California Pioneer Fractional Gold. In the second edition, the earliest appearance of BG-435, the rare and popular Arms of California round half dollar dated 1853, is given as the Jules Fonrobert collection, lot 1382 in the auction of February 18, 1878. Fonrobert died in 1877; he purchased most of his U.S. coins after 1871.

It seems to me that there should be an earlier appearance in the United States. Fonrobert owned some rare U.S. pattern coins, and I know that efforts have been made to identify the auctions where he obtained them, and the agent or bidder name that he used. Was there an 1853 round California half dollar in any of the auctions Fonrobert is known to have bid in? Can anyone help?

Also, Charles I. Bushnell owned an example at his death in 1880 (lot 2430 in the Chapman auction). Bushnell was very active in the 1850s, but less so in the 1860s and 1870s. I'm sure that pedigrees have been developed for many of his coins, from earlier sales; could there have been an Arms of California half dollar in any of these?

Thanks to anyone who can assist!

To read the complete CoinFacts article, see:
1853 G50C BG-435, Arms of California (Regular Strike) (https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1853-g50c-bg-435-arms-california/10471)

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