(1849) $10 Miners' Bank AU58 Certification #43830166, PCGS #10236

Ron Guth

PCGS recognizes Plain Borders and Crimped Borders on Miners Bank $10 gold pieces.  Neither of these designations refer to the edge, as all Miners Bank $10's have reeded edges.  Rather, it refers to the size of the planchet and its effect on the outer border, especially on the obverse.  Crimped borders are found on constricted planchets.  The "crimping" creates a dished appearance at the borders and distorts some of the lettering (see the top of the second  I in CALIFORNIA).  The Crimped Border coins have a greenish-gold color caused by the inclusion of silver in the alloy; they comprise the K-2 variety.  Most Miners Bank $10 gold pieces are of the Plain Border variety (K-1) and have an orange- or reddish-gold color.