Need Help

I got it from my dads old coin stash that he gave to me. (he didnt know nehing about it or where he got it from) there is not very much on the actual coin itsself, other than it was minted by a privite company in 1849. Like many other coins were, sence there was a lack of actual us currency. I guess they got tired of trading nuggets and gold dust. but thats all I know (and I may not be right about that wither. lol but it is kol. I have heard of other coins of this era being replicated in the 60's-70's. Like the smaller california gold coins.

It looks to me like it is a lead cast counterfeit. Look for a seam running along the edge of the coin. A seam along the edge is formed when two halves of a mold come together. A seam would be a dead giveaway.

Not to mention real gold coins don't have that color. I suspect you are right in that it is made of lead.

The story behind these private issues is, at least;intriging. I hadn;t realized it was this extensive. Indicaters point to Pacific Mining Co. to be behind this. Coins that were used:
1849 $1 Silver - on a 1776 Spanish Real
1849 $1 Silver - on a U.S. Half Dime
1849 $1 White Metal
1849 $1 Gold
1849 $2.50 Silver (sometimes gilt)
1849 $5 Copper
1849 $5 Silver - on a U.S. Quarter Dollar
1849 $5 Gold - Reeded edge
1849 $10 Copper
1849 $10 Gold - Plain edge
1849 $10 Gold - Reeded edge

BTW. I see what appears to be a seam as well.