Unique 1854 Kellogg & Co. $20 on View at Long Beach - Coin World

Coin World
Monday February 2, 2004

A unique 1854 Kellogg and Co. $20 pioneer gold piece goes on display again in California, during the first three days of the Long Beach Coin, Stamp, and Collectibles Expo, Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, in the Long Beach Convention Center.

Following its exhibit in northern California in the fall of 2003, the privately issued coin makes it southern California debut at the Long Beach Expo.  It is one of the first Gold Rush era coins minted in San Francisco.

The historic gold coin was once a part of the Garrett Collection at Johns Hopkins University. 

"The Kellogg coin was displayed at our Santa Clara show last November, the first time that coin has been seen in the San Francisco area in 149 years.  The response from the public was excellent, including local newspaper and television coverage.  So, we've made arrangements to display it for the first time in the Los Angeles area during the upcoming Long Beach Expo," said Ronald J. Gillio, expo general chairman. 

"This will be perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for southern California collectors to see this early Gold Rush era coin in person," Gillion said.

It was struck on Feb. 9, 1854, by John Glover Kellogg, a former employee of the San Francisco U.S. Assay Office.   He gave the coin to his friend and future business partner, New York City watchmaker, Augustus Humbert, the former U.S. assayer in San Francisco.

Kellogg's name prominently appears in the headdress worn by the symbolic Liberty on the obverse of the coin.  The reverse has the legend SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA TWENTY D.  It is certified Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America Specimen 69.

"The renowned names of Kellogg and Humbert are an integral part of California's Gold Rush history.  Only a few 1854 $20 Kellogg gold pieces survive today, and this is the only one designated a 'specimen strike' because of its exceptionally strong design features.  It was specially made and is unique," said Steve Contursi, owner of the coin and president of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, Calf. 

In addition to Humbert, Garrett, and Contursi, who acquired the coin in 2001, the pedigree includes the names of Capt. Andrew C. Zabriskie, Col. James W. Ellsworth, and Edward Milas.

Also during the expo, eBay, a co-sponsor of the show, will present two educational seminars for collectors and dealers, "Buying & Selling on eBay," conducted by Troy Thoreson.  He will present the seminar at noon on both Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31.

Heritage Numismatic Auctions will conduct a multi-session public auction of rare coins during the show. 

A children's treasure hunt will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 31, and a gold coin door prize will be awarded each day of the four-day show. 

Show hours are Thursday to Saturday, January 29-31, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Admission is $6 (good for all three days), and only $4 for coin or stamp club members. 

For additional information about the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, contact Expos Unlimited, 1103 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Telephone the firm at (805) 962-9939 or visit the expo's Web site at www.LongBeachShow.com .