Anyone here collect territorial gold coins?

coinguy89

I think that's what they're called, the really small looking ones in the back of the Red Book. How does one go about collecting these pieces? Is it any fun? Could I see some neat pics?

kranky

I think they are very cool, but they are out of my budget.

coinguy89

<< <i>I think they are very cool, but they are out of my budget. >>



What kind of budget are they in? I heard they were actually quite cheaper than most gold coins, I could be wrong though.

CarlWohlforth

For a while there I was putting together a basic type set. $1/4, $1/2 and $1 coins all in round and octagonal and all with a Liberty head and an Indian head. The $1 coins are pretty expensive. They all are if you consider how small they are. There are tons of different types so you can own a rare coin pretty cheaply if you think of like that.

coinguy89

<< <i>For a while there I was putting together a basic type set. $1/4, $1/2 and $1 coins all in round and octagonal and all with a Liberty head and an Indian head. The $1 coins are pretty expensive. They all are if you consider how small they are. There are tons of different types so you can own a rare coin pretty cheaply if you think of like that. >>



That's exactally what I was thinking. I was thinking of purchasing one of these coins later on.

DaveG

You might want to start by buying the Breen/Gillio book on California Fractional Gold that came out last year. (Specialized coin book sometimes disappear a year or two after they're published because everyone buys them and then they don't get reprinted.)

Also Don Kagin is one of the leading dealers for California Fractional Gold, he has a lot of inventory on his website - it's mostly very high-end, though. There might also be some coins on the Heritage website.

thebeav

Hi,
I collect the California fractionals. Considering their scarcity, the prices seem quite reasonable to me. By now, they are usually available certified. NGC started certifying them in May and PCGS has for years. Avoid raw coins on eBay (Now, how would he know to do that?) These are quite often problem pieces.
Save those for when you develop some expertise.....
I would say, for an average of 200.00 or so, you can pick up some delightful little coins. And yes, get the Gillio book (At least for starters). You may end up with many more books too !!
Good luck and enjoy the pursuit...
Paul