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1857 RARE 1/2 Dollar California Token!

Hi I am back! with another token.
I could use help with the value and just what kind of token it is
Also is it gold?
Thanks
Alan
imageimage

Comments

  • ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭
    Let me know if yours is real! I have a couple that look just like it! image
  • savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,292 ✭✭✭✭
    bear = beware

    www.brunkauctions.com

  • tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭


    << <i>bear = beware >>


    image

    That having been said, I don't think it's real.
  • ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>bear = beware >>


    image

    That having been said, I don't think it's real. >>



    You don't say!
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No not real. You have a token COPY of a fractional California gold coin- made about 30-50 years ago. No not gold-possibly brass. Worthless in my book but someone may want it for 50 cents.
    image
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,297 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>No not real. You have a token COPY of a fractional California gold coin- made about 30-50 years ago. No not gold-possibly brass. Worthless in my book but someone may want it for 50 cents. >>



    Yup. Not gold. Modern fantasy.

    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

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,608 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As mentioned, the ones with the bear at the bottom of the reverse are modern fantasy issues with no numismatic value.

    Bear = beware.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,297 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>As mentioned, the ones with the bear at the bottom of the reverse are modern fantasy issues with no numismatic value.

    Bear = beware. >>



    Another giveaway is the lack of a denomination. Real ones have Dollar, Dol., Cents, or other indication of value.

    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

  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's a copy, but cool anyway !!!
    Timbuk3
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,297 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It's a copy, but cool anyway !!! >>



    It's not really a copy since the design doesn't copy any original California gold fractional coin. It's more of a fantasy coin. I've seen these at flea markets and small coin shows where they are priced high like the originals. They are actually only worth a couple of dollars for their novelty value.

    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

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,133 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bad news …image

    You are lucky if it's worth 50 cents. It's one of those copies made in the 1960s that Woolworths, among others, sold for $2. At the same time Woolworths was selling 1939-D Jefferson nickels in VF-EF for $13.00 when they were worth maybe $2.00 retail.

    If the piece has a bear, just a fraction without “Dol” or “Dollars” in the design, or “Eureka” on it, it’s BADimage
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • mkman123mkman123 Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭✭
    Hope you didn't pay much for it!!
    Successful Buying and Selling transactions with:

    Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,297 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Hope you didn't pay much for it!! >>



    Agree but don't feel too bad if you overpaid since these "coins" have been fooling new collector for the last 50 years.

    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

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,608 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd technically refer to something like this as a "fantasy issue" rather than a "copy".

    I mean, isn't a copy a copy of an existing design? This doesn't mimic any past real coin I'm aware of.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • pontiacinfpontiacinf Posts: 8,915 ✭✭


    << <i>As mentioned, the ones with the bear at the bottom of the reverse are modern fantasy issues with no numismatic value.

    Bear = beware. >>



    see I learned smoething new today, thanks Rob never heard of
    that before image
    image

    Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill

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