Can anyone tell me the approximate value of these CA Fractional Gold coins?
GRANDAM
Posts: 8,592 ✭✭✭✭✭
I just purchased these on eBay but I have no idea what they are actually worth?
GrandAm 
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that's neat. i hadn't seen those in icg holders before.
do they have animals on the rev?
I think they are just souvenirs' that have been grade for some reason. I don't think they have any value unless they have some gold content.
I was afraid to say it first, but that's my thinking as well.
Are CA Fractionals made of gold?
Yes, they are.
But these are "Tokens" and "CA Fractional Style".
So are these gold or not?
I just bought these on a whim. I have seen small CA gold “coins” before I I thought these were gold "restrikes" by a private company. Not really concerned if they are “tokens” and not “coins” I know they are called tokens just want to confirm that they are made of gold. Seller description says CA gold,
Unfortunately, these are tokens and are not the fractional California gold that you're thinking of. To my knowledge, all fractional California gold from the time of the gold rush have a denomination on them such as 1 dollar or 1/4 dollar. Notice that yours only say California gold and do not have a denomination. Some of these may or may not be actual gold. An XRF test can determine that.
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Don’t like the word style, or the bears. Edit also don’t like the lack of dollar or dol or even a D.
These are more modern tokens, they are not California fractional. You'll notice that the slabs even state "CA Fractional Style" with the key word being style. They may or may not be low grade gold, but they are no where near worth what a real California fractional gold is worth.
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Well I have a gold tester so I will check when I get them but if they are gold I will be happy. Paid an average of $100 ea for the 2 pcs.
There’s a rather steep learning curve on those things. I just leave them alone.
Ok, I guess I didn’t word my question properly. I called them CA fractionals but I know they are tokens and not the actual CA gold fractionals. I know those couldn’t be bought for a $100 ea. I am just wondering if anyone knew a sales history on whatever these are?
The seller just confirmed they are made of gold so I am happy. I just thought that they looked neat and put a “snipe” in,,,,, this snipe actually worked,,, So I was wondering if at $100 ea did I pay too much?
For low grade (8K for example)? No idea if they're worth $100.
For brass or gold plate? I'd say not.
"So I was wondering if at $100 ea did I pay too much?"
I would say yes, return them if you can.
Found this article.
https://news.coinupdate.com/california-gold-tokens-and-replicas/
It has a link to this website with replicas and then gold tokens.
http://www.calgoldcoin.com/oldhtml/bear1.htm
http://www.calgoldcoin.com/oldhtml/wreath8.htm
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwmUMvhy-lY - Pink Me And Bobby McGee
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https://youtube.com/watch?v=D0FPxuQv2ns - Ruby Starr (from 'Go Jim Dandy') Maybe I'm Amazed
RLJ 1958 - 2023
No way to know. Some were, most were not.
IMO you paid too much. The ones I've seen of this type did not contain gold (I've had several, usually $5 - $10 dollars each). I suspect you will be disappointed when you test them for gold content. BUT... I am no expert in these, so use your own judgment. Just my opinion.
They are $50 items, even if gold. I would have them checked with an XRF gun.
Assuming a token contains a comparable amount of gold as a US gold coin for any given denomination, the current bullion value would be $41.50 for a 1/2 dollar token and $20.75 for a 1/4 dollar token.
What do you suppose the odds are, that the gold content of these tokens match US federal issues?
Although not ideal in terms of condition, genuine examples of the real thing can sometimes be obtained in the $100 range. Here’s one such example:
https://coins.ha.com/itm/california-fractional-gold/territorial-and-fractional-gold/1871-50c-liberty-round-50-cents-bg-1011-r2-cleaning-pcgs-genuine-unc-details-pcgs-10840-/a/132213-27717.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Just followed the link lilolme posted. And the news is what I expected. Recommend you send the items back.
Notice the real gold ones do not have animals on the back. Not sure if that is always the case, but I've heard if there are animals on the back they are more modern tokens.
Look what I found on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/735115313/souvenir-california-gold-tokens?ref=share_v4_lx
Well, a lot of good information,,,, Thanks for that.
When I get the coins I will see if they test as gold. But it not .999 or gold coin content they probably won’t test on my machine.
Seller does accept returns so I am ok there.
These tokens appear to be gold ones, just based on those photos. Although, they are generally 8 to 10 karat. They aren't gold investments, if that's what you're asking.
The token segment of Cal's has been quite strong for the past several years.
I've always believed that a coin (well, in this case a token) is worth what you can sell it for. Regardless of what someone says that it's worth. In your case, Someone was there bidding 99 dollars, right behind you. So, what are these worth ?
Most of these tokens are brass with or without gold plating. PCGS Coin Facts lists every recognized legitimate California small denomination gold coin with information about each coin (the assigned BG number, picture of each side of the coin, population and pricing information, etc).
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I bought them because I ass/u/me’d they were gold and I liked them. If not gold I would not have purchased them, Then it was suggested that they were not gold so I asked to find out. The seller says they are gold. If gold I will keep them. I know the gold value is no where near melt value but that is OK,
I hope they were very, very cheap. As TOM B said, the word "style" is key and identifies them as not being the real thing. Do they have any gold content? Who knows?
@GRANDAM
I think I found the OP 1/2. Unfortunately the link does not update (at least on my computer) as I click the links. But here are the steps to get to it. Start at the home page link below.
http://www.calgoldcoin.com
Left column click:
California Gold Token Guide
On the right hand side go down to bears (just past article) and click:
Index Of Bear Types
Go down to Bear #4 (the round one) (Note: information on this page also) and below the picture click:
Detailed Variety Listing
Near the bottom are ones that look similar to the OP 1/2
Also on the page above where you click Index of Bear Types, just above that is a Link for 'Detailed Variety Listing' for the Old West that has information on several of the replica tokens. I remember a thread with the one group of Old West.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwmUMvhy-lY - Pink Me And Bobby McGee
.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=D0FPxuQv2ns - Ruby Starr (from 'Go Jim Dandy') Maybe I'm Amazed
RLJ 1958 - 2023
These pieces have all of the earmarks of the items Woolworth’s sold in the 1960s for $2. There are fractions but no sign of value such as “DOL”, “CENTS” or even single letters, like “D” or “C.” This was to avoid charges of counterfeiting. There is a bear, which has always been a bad sign for these pieces. The only warning sigh they don’t have is the word, “EUREKA.”
If these are made of gold, they are new creations. The old pieces contained no gold at all. I think that ICG should have been clearer about what they are. I think that links to anything historical, other than modern souvenir status is very tenuous.
Notice that the dates on the slab labels are in parentheses. This indicates they were backdated and were not made in the years shown on the tokens.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@BillJones said:
A dealer friend of mine had a set of these come in similar to the Etsy link above. [Same holder. ] they did register 10k on the XRF gun.
I bought this little set a number of years ago as a novelty from a local shop. I think I paid $15 or $20 for them.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Asother said, these are tokens, souvanier type, most are not gold. couple bucks at best IMO
Play tokens that are probably not gold, even if the seller said they were. I’m surprised icg would grade them like that.
bear on the reverse is always a clue that these are not authentic but "modern tokens". Typically, no gold within.
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
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Here's a real one. It's the only California fractional gold piece I have in my collection. I think that the pieces from the 1850s have historical value. The pieces after that go down in my opinion as the dates continue.
With the vast fake token market I would (and have) pass by any offering of these. Good luck with the gold content. Let us know... Cheers, RickO
This site should help you out. Gold plated brass.
Z
http://www.calgoldcoin.com/
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various examples of period 1 Cal fractionals ... lot's of great info in the PCGS content.
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Well,,,,,, I received the tokens this morning. They don't test as gold but I am not sure that they would on my Sigma due to their size and the limited range of gold contents that the Sigma tests.
The seller does offer 30 day returns and he didn't have a problem taking them back so I am returning them.
Thanks for all the help and info provided.