California fractional gold - what is the G Mint Mark?

TopographicOceans · May 18, 2016 3:34PM

Does G stand for Gold?

Example picture added at the bottom of the thread below.

AUandAG · May 18, 2016 3:38PM

No, not gold.....I believe it is the mark of the maker but I cannot remember the name...perhaps in the morning when my mind ..........!

bob

Zoins · May 18, 2016 4:11PM

It stands for Robert B. Gray & Co.

Treashunt · May 18, 2016 9:37PM

Originally posted by: Zoins
It stands for Robert B. Gray & Co.

Thanks

thebeav · May 18, 2016 10:14PM

This thread is........

Useless without pictures !

ricko · May 18, 2016 11:14PM

Pictures please.... Cheers, RickO

asheland · May 19, 2016 12:51AM

Pics?

ScarsdaleCoin · May 19, 2016 1:04AM

Its very interesting to research but I believe I remember a story that Robert purchased dies, equipment, etc from Antoine Louis Nouizillet (who was a french jeweler by trade) and as Robert wanted to differentiate his own dies from those of ALN he used the letter G ... sure that some of the guys here who are more into this can elaborate but I hope this info helps you...

steveben · May 19, 2016 2:51AM

i would like to see a photo too. please.

TopographicOceans · May 19, 2016 6:06AM

I had 10% eBucks yesterday so I was looking around.
I didn't buy one, but here is a picture from an eBay listing.

Mark · May 19, 2016 10:59PM

Thanks for the thread and the picture. The picture really reveals how crude those coins were. Of course, this is one of the rare cases where crude = charming.

ricko · May 19, 2016 11:50PM

Thanks for the picture.... certainly not at all what I had imagined....Cheers, RickO

steveben · May 20, 2016 2:36AM

thanks. it's a cool old gold piece!

it's interesting to imagine scene of the person engraving this die in 1869.

asheland · May 20, 2016 6:23AM

I like that!

EastonCollection · May 21, 2016 8:07AM

calfracs are really quite cool to collect. One can build a redbook variety type set for a reasonable price. Some of the scarcer designs are really very desirable and has alot of stories to tell.

Zoins · May 21, 2016 8:27AM

Does anyone know what Robert B. Gray's middle name was?

Did Robert do the engraving and die sinking or was it someone else?

DaveWcoins · May 22, 2016 2:16AM

Originally posted by: EastonCollection

calfracs are really quite cool to collect. One can build a redbook variety type set for a reasonable price. Some of the scarcer designs are really very desirable and has alot of stories to tell.

They are quite reasonable at the moment, as attention is focused elsewhere.

I like the crudeness of many of the designs. With today's cameras and large monitors, you can blow up their images to the size of a dinner plate and really appreciate them.

Zoins · May 22, 2016 4:23AM

For some additional information on Robert B Gray:

PerryHall mentions Robert had a shop on 616 Merchant Street, San Francisco, California in 1870 in this thread. This is before he sold his interests to California Jewelry Co. in 1871. Since this is a 1869 coin, this could have been struck at 616 Merchant Street right next to where the Transamerica Pyramid is now.

Still haven't been able to track down his middle name or find him on any genealogy? sites. This one goes back to births in 1900 only.

PerryHall · May 22, 2016 4:50AM

I got this information from the book "California Pioneer Fractional Gold" by Walter Breen and Ron Gillio which is the standard reference for this series. This book is hard to find and expensive since it's been out of print for several years.

coindeuce · May 22, 2016 1:18PM

Zoins - try locating a copy of the 1870 or prior San Francisco Business Directory. The Federal Census Register of 1870 would probably be more reliable though.

California fractional gold - what is the G Mint Mark?

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