| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,870 |
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
Recently found this coin in a jewelry box I purchased at an estate sale. Never seen anything like it. Tests positive for 10K gold, weighs just over 0.7 grams, smaller than a Lincoln Cent, Indian Head on the front encircled with stars, "California Gold" on the back with what looks like the sun rising/setting in the ocean and some kind of animal which I'm guessing us supposed to be a bear since "California". I'm new here and apologize if I've posted this in the wrong forum. I just need help identifying this coin and whether or not it's an original or a counterfeit. Thanks everyone! |
|
|
|
New Member
 United States
15 Posts |
Trying to figure out how to upload photos of the coin
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
pretty sure its not a genuine fractional as there is no denomination on it. Sure others will chime in when it's not so late.....
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
|
|
Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
It's a souvenir token. Was the 10K test on the surface or did it go into the token? Usually these are plated brass, and the greenish spots indicate that this one is too. Maybe retest on one of those spots. The edge also looks like chipped plating.
The earliest date on genuine California fractionals is 1852, and they always have a denomination.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
12/21/2021 09:05 am
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
The test was done on the surface with my friends electronic tester (i don't know what it's called but he uses it for jewelry). I see the green spot you mentioned and now I'm concerned it might be plated too but not sure. I've read that california gold coins didn't use denominations until a few years after 1849 because of federal law or something like that.
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
any more input on this coin/token?
|
|
Moderator
United States
34397 Posts |
@pftg, this isn't my area of active collecting interest , but I think that @thq is right. Here is a link to a coin news article that may be of some interest. https://www.coinnews.net/2008/06/18...ection-4188/Also, if you use the key words CALIFORNIA GOLD BEAR in the CCF search box, you will see a good number of these that have been posted over the years. Finally, I'd recommend taking it to a pawn shop or similar to get a confirmation on whether it is just plated or not. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
 Great question. It's a replica token, I believe. Found most likely at a California state park gift shop or local store/service station. Also, the originals were solid gold of varying fineness. This piece is plated judging by the edge image shown. ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
Edited by Ballyhoo
12/24/2021 10:33 am
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
thank you everybody and merry Christmas!
|
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 2,870 |
|
Posted 12/20/2021 11:46 pm
