"California Gold" authenticity question

cmerlo1

I got these at a show recently. The dealer had a number of them available, but all but the 2 I bought were obviously modern fakes. These are both "bear" coins without denominations, so I know they aren't period, but I know people still collect them. I don't have the Bree/Gillio book, but they resemble some of the ones I've seen certified online and will get the book and spend time attributing them once I know if they're real or not.

What bothers me about both of them is that while they show wear, errors, and are very thin, the rims look odd and I think I can see copper showing through in places.

Am I correct in my assumption they are fakes? I got them for a dollar apiece so I'm not really out much on this gamble. Thanks in advance!

jonathanb

http://www.calgoldcoin.com/oldhtml/wreath2.htm

PerryHall

All the Breen-Gillio types are shown here in the PCGS Coin Facts site where they show pics of each B-G type. If you don't see your coin there, you have a token, replica, charm, or fantasy coin many of which are back dated and modern.

dcarr

@PerryHall said:
All the Breen-Gillio types are shown here in the PCGS Coin Facts site where they show pics of each B-G type. If you don't see your coin there, you have a token, replica, charm, or fantasy coin many of which are back dated and modern.

.

Some of the "charms" can still be worth a good amount, if they were made circa 1930s or before.
The one on the right appears to match the "1875 Arms of California #1" shown on this page:
calgoldcoin.com/oldhtml/wreath2.htm
It is described as being "fairly common" (as charms go).

.

cmerlo1

Thanks, everyone! Both pieces definitely fall into the token/charm category. Being a variety guy, I really like the blundered 'R' in 'EUREKA' (it appears to be a R/K) on the larger one and the E/? and blundered 'N' on the smaller one.

thebeav

Those are great pieces. You scored.
The gold 'charm' market has been hotter that the Cal gold 'coin' market for some years now.