1904 Lewis and Clark Gold Token Like the Commemorative $....Ever seen one ?

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thebeav
thebeav Posts: 4,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

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.

My Ebay Coin Store

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  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Mr_Spud

  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coins-and-medals/commemorative-coins/lewis-and-clark-exposition-gold?srsltid=AfmBOorwM8FjS8aSUy5KfDhCs514-cJWlw-28871xEmxXVNPhSEkdJ6D

    Mr_Spud

  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1904-g-1-lewis-clark/7447/3879259926000020366

    Mr_Spud

  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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
  • jonathanb
    jonathanb Posts: 4,154 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,192 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It's obviously not the commemorative and I agree it looks like a contemporary replica and not modern.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,056 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edit token into the title so those people will look

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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

  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Probably a souvenir item sold at the time (1904) in competition with the actual US gold coin.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @291fifth said:
    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.

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,935 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

    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 ... ?
  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @RedRocket said:

    @291fifth said:
    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.

    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.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,171 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Not familiar with this knockoff at all. My gut feeling is contemporary.

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • thebeav
    thebeav Posts: 4,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks for chiming in folks !

    My Ebay Coin Store
  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,171 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Might I recommend a good Specific Gravity test and some sort of electronic metal test to confirm the composition?

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,056 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    it does need testing.

    i'm guessing plated

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • rooksmith
    rooksmith Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Mr_Spud said:

    That would make this a very RARE coin, IMHO

    “When you don't know what you're talking about, it's hard to know when you're finished.” - Tommy Smothers
  • rooksmith
    rooksmith Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 12, 2026 11:43AM
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    Heads I will, Tails you lose?

    “When you don't know what you're talking about, it's hard to know when you're finished.” - Tommy Smothers
  • rooksmith
    rooksmith Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    “When you don't know what you're talking about, it's hard to know when you're finished.” - Tommy Smothers

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