1904 Lewis and Clark Gold Token Like the Commemorative $....Ever seen one ?
thebeav
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Hello folks....I've had this piece for 40 or 50 years. I recently ran across it and attempted to find out a little bit about it. I've never seen another and haven't come up with anything.
It's gold, 14.4 millimeters in diameter and weighs 1.68 grams.
2
Comments
Mr_Spud
https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coins-and-medals/commemorative-coins/lewis-and-clark-exposition-gold?srsltid=AfmBOorwM8FjS8aSUy5KfDhCs514-cJWlw-28871xEmxXVNPhSEkdJ6D
Mr_Spud
https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1904-g-1-lewis-clark/7447/3879259926000020366
Mr_Spud
I believe I would encase that coin, as small and thin as it is. Nice 2 headed coin. Nice flipper.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
The OP's point is that their piece isn't the normal commemorative. It doesn't have a denomination.
I don't think I've seen that before. Looks interesting. Clearly a counterfeit or replica of do sort. Possibly contemporary? It doesn't have the look of a modern Chinese piece.
It's obviously not the commemorative and I agree it looks like a contemporary replica and not modern.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
edit token into the title so those people will look
I didn’t notice the denomination was missing. I did another Google Lens search and pointed out the missing denomination and this was the result that came up with the focus on the missing denomination
Mr_Spud
Probably a souvenir item sold at the time (1904) in competition with the actual US gold coin.
It's minted on a gold planchet though. I can't imagine trying to compete against the U.S. Mint and getting away with it.
It looks like a dangerous copy to me, which could be used to fool people who don't know any better, or those who don't take the time to really look at the coin.
I've read stories about how a baker was prosecuted for making cookies that resembled Indian Cents. If that's true, I can't understand why the Feds didn't come down on these people for making a close copy like this.
This was an era when medal souvenirs were very common. Some were apparently sold just outside exhibit grounds. It would not surprise me to find that this piece was one such item.
Not familiar with this knockoff at all. My gut feeling is contemporary.
Thanks for chiming in folks !
Might I recommend a good Specific Gravity test and some sort of electronic metal test to confirm the composition?
it does need testing.
i'm guessing plated
That would make this a very RARE coin, IMHO
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