Need Help Identifying A Coin

Okay, my dad told me about a coin that he had when he was a teenager. His uncle took it from him when he was around eighteen. He found this coin buried in an old house he was helping renovate in Atlanta, Georgia.

Was gold and rectangular, about 1/4 inch thick, about 2 inches long, 1/2 wide.

Had a stamp that said Parsons and Company on it, and Colorado. Also had $20 dollars on it. Year on it was 1862.

Anyone know what this is? He is just curious, as am I.

Thanks!

 

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Parsons & Company Assayers did produce a few round private issue coins. What you describe is probably a ingot. I couldn't find any reference to an ingot dated 1862.

There are two known like the one below dated 1860 and one is in the Smithsonian. The other recently sold at auction. Value - six figures.

 

I had him come in here and look at that picture, and he said it looks like that, but the year was definitely 1862. He found it buried in the dirt while they were digging the foundation of that house in Atlanta. Do you think it was a fake or what?

 

Why did his uncle take it??? What happened there???

 

This is all that I have, but maybe it will help you on search. Dr. John Parsons was a Indiana native. He was an assayer who operated in South Park (Colorado) at the Tarryall Mines. He began to issue ingots of double eagle denomination ($20). These where followed by a brief 1861 coinage of $2.50 and $5.00.

Lou

 

J. Parsons began producing and issuing Gold ingots in 1860 while awaiting Dies that he had ordered to Mint Coins! I could not find any information on how many years that he produced and issued Gold ingots or even coins. However, since he remained in South Park (where he produced the ingots and coins) through much of the 1860's before moving to Denver, he probably produced ingots and coins even beyond 1862. I would bet that the ingot was genuine! A lot of the Gold Miners from Georgia and North Carolina went to the California Gold Fields seeking their fortune but when the Gold started playing out, they worked their way back East with some stopping to mine other areas in Colorado and other States before making it back home. A Gold Miner probably brought the ingot back when he returned home to the Atlanta area which is not far from the Northern Georgia Gold Mining areas.

I would also like to know why that his Uncle took the ingot? Also, where is the ingot now? I think your Dad should find the house again and get permission to Metal Detect the property and possibly search the attic as well as under the house or in the basement whichever is the case. There could be a lot more treasure hidden away in or around the house...especially if the Miner returned home during the Civil War. The Gold may have been hidden away and the Miner may have been killed when Atlanta was overrun and burned.


Frank

 

Here's an article about John Parsons. There apparently isn't a whole lot known about him.
http://www.rfrajola.com/mayergold/mayergold.htm scroll about two-thirds of the way down the page.

Considering the rarity of his products it's not really likely that the item your father has was genuine. If his uncle is still around maybe he should be contacted (he didn't suddenly move to an island in the Bahamas, did he?)

 

send it to a reputable auction house that way if its real you might get 6 figs for it

 

spock,

If it is or was real, I doubt that the Uncle still has it but who knows! However, if he does and they can get it and send it to a reputable auction house, I think that they should get a least 8 figs, 4 coconuts and a bag of dates for it...don't you think so to!!!???:rolling:

All kidding aside, if it is still in the Uncles possession and it is real, then who knows what it would bring at auction. With so few know and none with the 1862 Date, then it would fall in the extremely, extremely rare category!


Frank

 

That's pretty crazy. Where is the market for 6 figures for a gold nugget?

Ruben

 

forget all that nicegrl tell us a lil about yourself

 

I doubt she's in India or that you could get her through customs

No offense meant to anyone

Ruevain

 

lol. i cant even get myself through customs besides i cant really met anyone with all this secrecy but sure is a nice thought someone so interested in meeting me that they travel the world how romantic maybe we can make a movie

 

There were many of those exact bars faked. I had one. Take it to a jeweler or a pawn shop to have it tested for gold. Good luck!

 

OK - but no mobs of women singing and dancing and stuff like that.

 

Your interupting our conversation HERE. God - so rude..

:hammer::hammer:

 

Sorry...

 

Its OK - now go find an Exhibit and vote for it for TOTW and we will forgive all. Better yet, Where is your Entry???

Ruben

 

Have to go to work first. When I get home I'll try to figure out what you're talking about.