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1852 California 1/2 Coin

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Author Previous TopicReplies: 13 / Views: 1,330Next Topic  
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United States
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 Posted 01/07/2021  10:40 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Dwags to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
1852 1/2 California coin. inherited some coins from my great uncle. Wondering if this one was worth anything.
1852-California-1/2-Coin
1852-California-1/2-Coin
Edited by Dwags
01/07/2021 11:09 pm
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Collects82's Avatar
United States
1316 Posts
 Posted 01/07/2021  11:41 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Collects82 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I had something similar happen about a year ago. A pouch of coins that came down from through my grandmother from her parents when they pioneered to CA had an octagonal California. I learned that some in this series were reproduced as tourist pieces later on, but are still gold. When I asked here, I was advised that mine was more likely one of these reproductions, but I haven't taken the chance yet to research it to the detail I would need too.

Maybe look through Heritage's archives for a match.
That would give you a decent idea of value.
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gymcoachdon's Avatar
United States
717 Posts
 Posted 01/08/2021  12:09 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add gymcoachdon to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I am NOT an expert on California fractional gold!
I did , however, have a friend show me some inherited coins, and one was very similar to yours. After doing some inquiries here, It ended up being a tourist copy. If I recall, there is no genuine California fractional with a bear on it. Please do your own research, but I believe that to be a true statement. Some of the "tourist" coins were gold, some were gold plated...
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PNWType's Avatar
United States
561 Posts
 Posted 01/08/2021  02:53 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add PNWType to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Found this on CoinWorld:


Quote:
If you spot a bear on the reverse, or any other symbol or text without an indication of denomination, such as "dollar," "dol." or even "d," my advice is not to bid more than $1. My local coin dealer sells them for that much, and he has a box of them.


Sounds like it's either plated or brass.
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thq's Avatar
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3343 Posts
 Posted 01/08/2021  07:39 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add thq to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Here's what the real ones look like. This one is octagonal, but round ones are common.

1852-California-1/2-Coin
1852-California-1/2-Coin

Compare the Liberty head. The word dol. or dollar is always seen. None of the real ones have dates earlier than 1852. There is never a bear.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
01/08/2021 07:45 am
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Coinfrog's Avatar
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94367 Posts
 Posted 01/08/2021  09:07 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Coinfrog to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I'm pretty sure the OP's coin is a fake.



to the CCF!
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jbuck's Avatar
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187875 Posts
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 Posted 01/08/2021  10:46 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Dwags to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thanks for the welcome responses and replies. This coin is so small I had to blow it up with my phone camera just to see it. It's about the size of a pencil eraser in diameter. I also received quite a few silver dollars. Dates on them are from 1898 to 1920's. A couple are in really good condition and barely worn at all. Some you can tell have been in a lot of pockets and worn. Maybe I'll take some pics and post on here and get some info.
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Conder101's Avatar
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 Posted 01/08/2021  11:17 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Conder101 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
If it has a bear on the back, or if it doesn't have a denomination expressed as D. Dol, or Dollar, it is a fake. There ARE fakes that do have denominations but no genuine will be missing it.
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Coinfrog's Avatar
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 Posted 01/08/2021  12:07 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Coinfrog to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Conder nails it.
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 Posted 01/08/2021  2:48 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Dwags to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Well, fake or not it is different. Guess if I had paid for the coins I might be disappointed. Can't be too upset with free I guess. &
Edited by Dwags
01/08/2021 2:49 pm
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jbuck's Avatar
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 Posted 01/08/2021  5:41 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Dwags to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
@Jbuc...this is what I received in my gifted collection. 6 Morgans, 8 Peace, 17 '64 Halves, 18 '65-'69 halves, stack of Liberty dimes, and others.
1852-California-1/2-Coin
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