Gold Coin Was Minted in 1928

Anne McCollam
Thu, 20 Feb 2020 21:00:00 -0800
Lifestyle

Q: This is a photo of an antique gold coin that I have. It is mounted in an 18-karat gold bezel and has a 16-inch, 14-karat gold rope chain. On one side there is the image of the American eagle with the words "United States of America — In God We Trust — 2 1/2 Dollars - E Pluribus Unum." On the other side is the profile of a Native American in a full headdress, 13 stars and the words "Liberty — BLP — 1928." My grandfather gave it my mother when she was a child in 1928. It is in excellent condition.

I would never part with it, but I'd like to know more about its history and its insurance value.

A: The 2 1/2-dollar gold coins were minted in Philadelphia from 1908 to 1929. The letters "BLP" represent Bela Lyon Pratt, the Boston sculptor. He designed the image of the Native American and the American bald eagle. Pratt was born in Connecticut in 1867 and studied his craft with United States Mint coin engraver, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Because the details of the design were indented into the gold, people were concerned that it would harbor germs. It didn't. The 13 stars represent the 13 original colonies.
Updated: Fri Feb 21, 2020

Q: This is a photo of an antique gold coin that I have. It is mounted in an 18-karat gold bezel and has a 16-inch, 14-karat gold rope chain. On one side there is the image of the American eagle with the words "United States of America — In God We Trust — 2 1/2 Dollars - E Pluribus Unum." On the other side is the profile of a Native American in a full headdress, 13 stars and the words "Liberty — BLP — 1928." My grandfather gave it my mother when she was a child in 1928. It is in excellent condition.

I would never part with it, but I'd like to know more about its history and its insurance value.

A: The 2 1/2-dollar gold coins were minted in Philadelphia from 1908 to 1929. The letters "BLP" represent Bela Lyon Pratt, the Boston sculptor. He designed the image of the Native American and the American bald eagle. Pratt was born in Connecticut in 1867 and studied his craft with United States Mint coin engraver, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Because the details of the design were indented into the gold, people were concerned that it would harbor germs. It didn't. The 13 stars represent the 13 original colonies.

Your 1928-minted 2 1/2-dollar gold coin should probably be insured in the range of $700 to $1,500.

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a porcelain figurine of a young girl with her dog. She is wearing a red cape, a red and white dress and red Mary Jane shoes. She has blond hair. She is turning her head to look down at her dog. The overall height is about 9 inches, and the figurine is in excellent condition.

Could you please provide information about the maker, vintage and value?

A: Goldscheider Porcelain Factory made your figurine. Friedrich Goldscheider founded his factory in Vienna, Austria, in 1855. The design was created by artist Germaine Bouret in the 1930s. Goldscheider Porcelain Factory was taken over by the Nazis during their 1938 invasion of Austria. The surviving members of the Goldscheider family fled to the United States and established a factory in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1940. They made art nouveau and art deco figurines that are sought after by collectors.

Your figurine circa 1938 and might be worth $1,200 to $1,500.

Gold coin was minted in 1928.

The Goldscheider family fled Austria during the Nazi invasion.