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 Replies: 62 / Views: 12,268 |
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
Hello all. I'm trying to get help in identifying this coin. It came to me in a small collection of coins from an elderly family. This is an 1854 Liberty California Gold coin, has the D mark on it. It looks to me like this is a super rare one, but I'm not sure. Somebody has the same coin on ebay for $15,000, saying that it is one of only a few known to exist. I don't know much about these coins, and I would be very thankful for any info that I can get on it. Thanks to all in advance for helping me! Dave     Edited by stoogeco
11/15/2014 1:03 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
 I can't find anything that matches it in my Red Book -- but that doesn't mean it isn't there. I can't really see the reverse very well. I think this thread needs to be moved from 'Variety and Error' to 'Classic Coins' -- so hang on, somebody who knows what it is will see it soon. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
It's fake. Real ones would have the "D" mintmarck below the date and don't have the star above the date. Also, the head is the completely wrong style. Sorry to disappaint you. By the way, to CCF! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
Oops, I didn't read that it was a California round. In that case, I have no idea, but it is likely not worth the $15,000 figure you mentioned earlier. That is probably an actual Dahlonega-minted 1854 D dollar.
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New Member
 United States
47 Posts |
Thanks for the early help. I have uploaded a couple of better photos. Hope this helps.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Your piece appears to be an ultra rare California Fractional Gold piece of which only 3 pieces are known to exist. If it is genuine it is a $20,000 piece. Do not hold it on your finger as skin oils will be imparted to its surfaces.
This coin requires professional authentication and encapsulation. It could be genuine or could be a very good copy, either way for the kind of money we're talking about? It must be handled with care and submitted to PCGS, NGC, or ANACS to determine exactly what it is.
Thanks for posting. Looks like an intersting piece to say the least!
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
 very interesting coin! |
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
Thanks for the help. Talk about dumb luck in finding this. It was in a pouch with another round 1854 Cal Gold piece and a 1873 S Quarter Eagle gold piece. Thanks for the lesson in handling. I have posted the picture of the other Cal Gold round in another post.
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
If genuine, my gut tells me it is, you have quite the Fractional there.
Send it to PCGS for sure.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
My ignorance in these things sure showed. Congrats and I hope it turns out to be genuine.
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Since it seems like your elderly relative had a valuable collection, I would suggest that you look into adding a rider on your insurance to cover the collection.
Buy a safe, or lock the coins up in the bank.
Don't tell anybody what you have.
Hope all the news about this coin is good news!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1215 Posts |
You can go to a coin dealer and ask whether he/she would submit it to PCGS or NCG.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7614 Posts |
Join the PCGS Collectors Club and submit the coin(s) yourself.
When you do the submission yourself then there is no question about switchouts or mysterious lost or missing coins.
Take high quality pics of your coin before you send it in.
Looks like a home run to me!
Good luck!
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
Thanks so much for the advice. I just signed up for the PCGS collectors club, and my coins will ship on Monday.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7614 Posts |
Good deal...be sure and mail them Registered Mail (with heavy insurance) and keep us posted when you get your grades!
Sounds like you may be singing "Happy Holidays" early this year!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
The style doesn't look quite right to me.
Probably made from good gold.
'Jeweler's copy' would be a better term for this piece, rather than 'fake'.
The tiny size of the original gold dollar made it an ideal target to copy for a jewelry piece, usually to be hung as a small gold nick-nack on a wrist bangle or similar.
Worth keeping, anyway.
Take it to an experienced gold coin dealer for an opinion, for confirmation of authenticity, and if HE thinks it is genuine, you could THEN be justified to have it graded. Until then, save your shipping and grading fees.
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Replies: 62 / Views: 12,268 |
Posted 11/15/2014 09:35 am
