California Gold Discovery Medal - Octagonal Slug - Pioneer Days of '49

WillieBoyd2

The California Gold Rush was a major event in the state's history and early in the 20th century San Francisco's Irvine & Jachens medal company and other companies began striking medals to commemorate it.

A favorite medal design was based on the octagonal $50 gold coin or "slug".

I recently acquired this one from a coin dealer's "junk box" for $5.00. The medal was probably made in the 1940's.

It has damage from attempts to remove certain words from the legends.


California Gold Discovery Centennial Medal - State Seal and Days of '49

The words in brackets have been smoothed over.

Obverse: California State Seal / EUREKA
[SOUVENIR] PIONEER DAYS OF CALIFORNIA / THE DAYS OF '49

Reverse:
Copy of U.S. Assay Office $50 gold piece with eagle and shield
FACSIMILE [OF FAMOUS] CALIFORNIA FIFTY DOLLAR GOLD [SLUG USED BY THE] PIONEERS 1850
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIFTY. / IN GOD WE TRUST in banner

Bronze, 40mm, 24.06gm, octagonal, medal orientation

I can't think of a reason for the damage to this medal, can anyone else?

ricko

Amazing what turns up in junk boxes....Cheers, RickO

PRECIOUSMENTAL

Bet that is the best $5.00 you've spent lately, Very Nice.

Nap

Presumably the person responsible for the damage did not understand the meaning of "facsimile" (or he would have removed that too)

Baley

Originally posted by: WillieBoyd2



The words in brackets have been smoothed over.



Obverse: California State Seal / EUREKA

[SOUVENIR] PIONEER DAYS OF CALIFORNIA / THE DAYS OF '49



Reverse:

Copy of U.S. Assay Office $50 gold piece with eagle and shield

FACSIMILE [OF FAMOUS] CALIFORNIA FIFTY DOLLAR GOLD [SLUG USED BY THE] PIONEERS 1850

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIFTY. / IN GOD WE TRUST in banner



I can't think of a reason for the damage to this medal, can anyone else?

Yeah. The legend would be better without those words.

Nice piece either way, at that price with that damage, or at a much higher price without it.



great conversation piece, and no problem using as a pocket piece, poker card protector, or golf ball marker.

Let us know if you want to double your money