Home U.S. Coin Forum

California Gold tokens

CollectorcoinsCollectorcoins Posts: 3,198 ✭✭✭
edited October 30, 2019 4:05AM in U.S. Coin Forum

They are 10K. Thanks

1853


1854

Updated : heres the history of these from Mike Locke of Calgoldcoins.com, These were made around 1890.

From:
Antoine Nouizillet-M. Deriberpe-Isadore Routhier 1853-1856 Succeeded by Robert Gray 1859-1870
Succeeded by Levison Bros. 1870-1871
Succeeded by Herman J. Brand 1873-circa 1903 ** When these were made***
Succeeded by Herman Kroll circa 1903 - circa 1920s
Succeeded by UNKNOWN circa 1920s - 1987 (dies sold at auction)

Comments

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This is for the first pic, Indian head 1853:

    https://antiquesandauctionnews.net/articles/California+Fractional+Gold++

    Part of the article, the rest is at the link above:

    “ Novelty? Currency? Jewelers' charms? No matter what side of the debate you fall on, one thing is for sure - California fractional gold coins are among the most heavily faked pieces of their kind. There are literally millions of fakes. They offer a fascinating glimpse into a somewhat confusing history. Many numismatists have at least one authentic piece in their collection - some even enjoy having examples of fantasies and fakes.
    Let's start with the basics. There are three periods of California fractional gold, as described by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC):
    Period One: 1852-57 - may have been in circulation.
    Period Two: 1858-82 - represent jeweler-made souvenirs and some may have been in circulation.
    Period Three: Backdated, were made from 1883 into the 20th century and are considered "tokens."

    At first these coins were made by private firms to satisfy a need, in the then-remote territory of California, for monetary values under $5, the lowest value of a California gold coin at the time. California fractional gold coins were made in denominations of 25-cents, 50-cents, and one dollar. The San Francisco Mint opened in 1854 and within a few years, they had minted enough smaller denomination coins to fulfill the need. However, that didn't stop private firms from continuing to issue their own coins. ”

  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,788 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've seen many of the tokens like yours bring between 25 and 60 dollars on ebay.

  • calgolddivercalgolddiver Posts: 1,468 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Top 20 Type Set 1792 to present

    Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set

    successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)

  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 8,978 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That face profile looks off. IMO. Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • habaracahabaraca Posts: 2,010 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Namvet69 did you open the link showing all the different ones 450 of them

    This one look GREAT to me

  • CollectorcoinsCollectorcoins Posts: 3,198 ✭✭✭
    edited October 17, 2019 6:24AM

    Were there any period 3 made without a stated value. Im just guessing at this point but don't think they were made in the 60s. They were acquired in the 60's and the 1854 is worn where the date is barely visible.

  • CollectorcoinsCollectorcoins Posts: 3,198 ✭✭✭
    edited October 28, 2019 12:28PM

    I found where the top one reverse is from "the arms of California " reverse die. 1884-1903. See NGC Coin # 4884572-001 MS68

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file