California Gold Help: Is this One Real?

VTCoins

I looked at pics on Heritage, and it seemed that all of them were 1880/76. I don't see evidence of the overdate here.

Sorry for the crappy pics.

VTCoins

Now that I look at the scan (and look more closely at the actual coin), it looks like the "4" in "1/4" is punched over a "2".

crazyhounddog

Kaint see.. But what I can see is a 2 under the 4....Looks like a very pretty piece!!

CaptHenway

It appears to be what is called a souvenir token, struck from roughly the 1880's to the 1920's after the government cracked down on the use of the term "DOLLAR" on tokens. The jewelers in California kept making pieces to sell to visitors, but just made new dies without "D." or "DOL." or "DOLLAR."

They are collectible, but much less so that the earlier pieces. If I was still working, I would price that in the coin shop at $50, and consider a reasonable counteroffer.

TD

PerryHall

These were struck on very thin planchets and thus exhibit "ghosting" where the ghost of the reverse appears on the obverse and vice versa.

AUandAG

What is the denomination? Even Cal gold had Dollar or D or some sort
of denomination on the coin. Token piece that is probably underweight
and 10k.

bob

VTCoins

<< <i>What is the denomination? Even Cal gold had Dollar or D or some sort
of denomination on the coin. Token piece that is probably underweight
and 10k.

bob >>



The coin saya "1/4", but it looks like the 4 is struck over a 2.

AUandAG

<< <i>

<< <i>What is the denomination? Even Cal gold had Dollar or D or some sort
of denomination on the coin. Token piece that is probably underweight
and 10k.

bob >>



The coin saya "1/4", but it looks like the 4 is struck over a 2. >>



yes, I see that. But it's 1/4 or 1/2 of what?? Where's the dollar, d or cents?

bob

CaptHenway

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>What is the denomination? Even Cal gold had Dollar or D or some sort
of denomination on the coin. Token piece that is probably underweight
and 10k.

bob >>



The coin saya "1/4", but it looks like the 4 is struck over a 2. >>



yes, I see that. But it's 1/4 or 1/2 of what?? Where's the dollar, d or cents?

bob >>



Read my comment.

segoja

CaptHenway is correct

All Cal Gold must show Dol, Dollar or D those without are not the real thing

BigE

There is clear evidence of the overdate, see the spike sticking out of the side of the 8, the upper loop?------BigE

VTCoins

Received an email from Mike Locke from calgoldcoin.com:

It is a well known souvenir token struck by Herman Brand circa 1880. It is
similar in weight and composition to the denominated pieces from the same
period (which are also souvenir tokens, btw).

The "over denomination" reverse is known with this obverse, with an 1882
Indian head, with an 1876 Liberty head (obverse of BG854) and with an 1883
"miner at work" obverse. Of these 4, the 1880 Indian head is the most
common.

The obverse may be an overdate, or not. It's kind of irrelevant because
only the one obverse die was used with that year on it. The star positions
on this die do not match any of the 1876 and 1882 Indian head dies from
Brand, so it is not a recutting of any of those dies.

Thanks for the help everyone!