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 Replies: 11 / Views: 5,144 |
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
Not to go into too many family details, my grandmother just died and my aunt found a few boxes of jewelry that belonged to another relative of mine. As we went through some of them, I found a sweater clasp that had a pair of California gold tokens on them. Knowing there are a number of copies both good and poor, I was skeptical they were real, but when one came off of the mount, I am starting to wonder. Unlike some of the copies, this one is very thin (which I read was one way to distinguish good from bad) so that's a good sign. I don't have the ability to weigh it right now, but I'm guessing 1/4 to 1/2 a gram. Unfortunately there are solder remnants on the reverse but I might be able to remove it at work without damaging it. Because of it, I can't tell what it says under it. Any thoughts? Mike   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:
Unfortunately there are solder remnants on the reverse but I might be able to remove it at work without damaging it. Because of it, I can't tell what it says under it.
The reverse is very helpful for authentication. If there is a bear present or no denomination listed, then it is a reproduction/fantasy. |
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Valued Member
 United States
372 Posts |
Of all the fantasy pieces with bears, the bear is at the bottom so I'm kinda guessing these coins dont have one. I'm debating popping the others off (there are two sets of these for a total of 4 identical coins) but I'm hesitant to even though they don't have any sentimental value. I guess if I wanted, I could always solder them back on.
Mike
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Valued Member
United States
203 Posts |
I'd remove them, you could always solder them back on if you really wanted to. I'd be really curious if all of them are real. Start with this one and remove the solder, post some pictures of it.
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
Here is how they are mounted. The base material is not not marked and unless it is a low karat, it is not gold. Mike  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4409 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
It's not the same, but close.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
HERE is an article you should read. Michael is on a quest to expose fake California Gold pieces on auction sites
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
I pulled the others off successfully. It appears there is only a wreath on the reverse with nothing else. Nothing inside it.
Mike
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
Knowing the BG number would be good. I'm looking on coin facts at all 1861's. If I find a match I will post the PCGS plate coin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Nothing inside the wreath would indicate it is a fake, as is the one in the linked ebay auction. (Frankly it is a bit disturbing to see an authorized PCGS and NGC dealers and an EAC members selling an obvious fake without any disclosure.) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
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I pulled the others off successfully. It appears there is only a wreath on the reverse with nothing else. Nothing inside it. In that case, I would say that they are jewelers charms, most likely still made of gold, but not " real " California gold coins. The real California gold would have a denomination on the back. The genuine gold tokens, usuall y have a western scene of some sort on the reverse. The fake California gold coins/tokens made of brass or plated usually have a bear on the reverse. This has all the indications of gold jewelers charms, sold as souvenirs of the west and made into jewelery mostly in the 1930's. Not authentic California Gold, but still gold. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 5,144 |
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Posted 02/04/2014 11:32 am
