Kellogg & Company (1854-1855)

About This Coin

Kellogg & Company, established by John Glover Kellogg in San Francisco, produced some of the most famous and valuable private gold coins in American numismatic history during 1854-1855. With dies engraved by Albert Kuner, their $20 double eagles and $50 slugs feature boldly executed designs that rival the artistic quality of official U.S. Mint products. The combined mintage of just 7 pieces for the rarest issue underscores the extreme scarcity of certain Kellogg varieties, and a stunning auction result of $764,000 in PR64 grade at Heritage Auctions places their finest pieces among the most valuable coins in all of American numismatics. Kellogg established his firm after the dissolution of Moffat & Company, positioning himself to continue serving California's gold economy during the transitional period when the San Francisco Mint was expanding but had not yet achieved sufficient production capacity to meet demand. Kellogg's operation benefited from the expertise of Kuner, a skilled German-born die engraver whose designs gave Kellogg & Company coins a professional appearance that enhanced public confidence in their weight and fineness. The firm's $50 slugs continued the tradition established by Augustus Humbert's famous octagonal pieces, providing a large-denomination gold coin for significant commercial transactions. Kellogg & Company pieces are cornerstone items for collectors of California Gold Rush coinage, combining extraordinary rarity, historical significance, and artistic quality in pieces that represent the pinnacle of American private gold coinage.