Any California Gold Token Experts Willing To School Me?

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,292
Tombstone1 New Member United States 15 Posts	Posted 06/08/2023 8:33 pm I inherited this token recently. I have tried for days to research these things, but there are so many varieties, manufacturers, and fakes out there that I'm lost. I am fairly confident that it is not a modern replica/fake, as it was either one of my grandfathers, or my fathers. I don't think any of them acquired any coins (except pocket change finds) since the 1970's. Anyway, I cannot find any photos of this specific token on any reference website. There are a few that are similar, but the features are slightly different. This token it exactly .400" across the flats in diameter. Someone wrote on the holder that it is $1/4, which I assume is its relative size. My question is; is there a way to tell if this is an 1800's made token, or a 20th Century reproduction? Is there a way to tell if it is solid gold vs gold plated? If solid, has anyone ever published the alloy of Karat used? Has anyone ever tried to figure out what the approximate weight (if gold) would be for a $1/4 equivalent token. To me, this may be a rabbit hole that may be impossible to decipher, but I figured I'd post it here and see what I can learn. Thanks in advance Report this Post to the Staff

HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 24956 Posts	Posted 06/08/2023 8:59 pm Tombstone, that field is so varied and rife with reproductions that it's really hard to say. Age has little to do with it, as debased tokens and tourist souvenir "coins" have been produced since the 1800s. This website shows what seems to be your item, however without digging into the source I can't say much more. http://calgoldcoin.com/oldhtml/wreath4a.htm Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Edited by HondoB 06/09/2023 12:57 am Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21786 Posts	Posted 06/09/2023 01:06 am There are lots of 'jeweler's copies' in good quality solid gold out there. I have a cheapie in gold plated yellow brass. Report this Post to the Staff
dar76124 Valued Member United States 395 Posts	Posted 06/09/2023 08:20 am My understanding is that original tokens have the denomination on them however as sel_691 said just because it's a copy doesn't mean it's not gold. Report this Post to the Staff
Tombstone1 New Member United States 15 Posts	Posted 06/09/2023 6:57 pm Thanks for all the info. I guess you confirmed my suspicion that verifying anything about who, where, when, and why they were made, as well as what each one is made of is as varied as everyone's opinion, and full of conjecture. Anyway, thank you for your thoughts on this token. I'll just put it back in the safe and let my kids ponder over it one day. Tom Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,292

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