1857 Gold Coin Tie Clip - Seen One?

For whatever reason, jewelers remove the Indian and replace the design with wild geometrics, going for under 400. With design it's much different. These people used to carry them, now just the tie bar, I guess. They're kind of pricey, and YOU supply the coin.
http://www.goldcharm.com/cufflinks.html

Even though your back scan looks... not good... it appears to say California gold. I'll bet it also says "1/4" or possibly "1/2". Also, judging by the sharpness of the Indian head design, I'd say this is a modern copy of a California Gold 1/4 Dollar... but it probably does not say dollar on the coin... making it a product of the 1970's onward.

They are very common, and can be picked up on ebay for a few dollars. They are not gold but bright brass(non-magnetic) but may be gold plated. They are often stamped out of a sheet. This leaves one side with a sharp edge. One side will easily slide on a piece of paper... the other side will dig in and catch... the sharper lower stamped side. It is also common to mount these on stick pins, earrings, brooches etc, because they actually have little value, and realize more as jewellry to the unsuspecting buyer.

A real California gold coin typically has the word dollar on it. A modern repro having dollar on it is illegal and uncommon... I've never seen one anyway. Look on google for Mike Locke's California Gold for tons more info... he also clasifies some of the modern tokens as I believe yours is from the back scan. The pin should be marked as to it's gold content. If it isn't it's also probably plated... unless the modern token has been mated with a vintage stick pin. I'll add links momentarily.

>>> edit>>> There's so much info out there that I'm just going to link to this... see if you can find yours VVV

http://www.calgoldcoin.com/ephemera.htm

Sir, these items can be quite deceptive and can definitely fool the casual(or not so casual) collector. I do believe an authentic piece like yours would have the date on the other side(in the wreath, with the Indian Head surrounded by stars only).

I'm sure your father/grandfather did not purposely try to deceive you. I am not an expert on these items, but have a general idea of what can point toward authenticity... and there are always exceptions to the rule, which can require research that I don't have the time/inclination to conduct... so I just pass.

If you can positively identify your piece/token with Mike Locke's site(or otherwise) perhaps you might seem less disappointed... & perhaps be or find an appropriate "wearer" for such an item.

And remember that there are plenty of coins and such in this world that have a much greater value as an heirloom, as opposed to some commodity.

Check out Yeoman's Guide Book of U.S. Coins, a.k.a. the " Red Book" - what with this being the most accesible reference for info on these. See the index under California gold. We all, at some time or another, can pass along misinformation; even us dads!