1858 California Gold fractional

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by GeorgeM, Jan 18, 2021.

  1. GeorgeM

    GeorgeM Well-Known Member

    Not sure why I picked this piece up. Thought I found a match on Heritage with the doubled 8 on a genuine token, but can't find it again.

    Did I blow some money on a modern replica, or did I do all right here?

    20210118_115108.jpg 20210118_115129.jpg 20210118_115146.jpg 20210118_115157.jpg 20210118_115228.jpg
     
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  3. Matthew Kruse

    Matthew Kruse Young Numismatist

    I see doubling on the 8... Hopefully it’s real!
     
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  4. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    sorry, but to my eye it is very questionable-- as to being genuine.

    The dark areas on the obv may be the gold plate wearing off.

    If I could ever find it, I'd post a picture of the one that I have, from years ago.
     
  5. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I had rather thought the same thing. I own circulated gold and it isn't worn quite like that. I didn't want to put my foot in my mouth because I am not intimately familiar with these. I hope the piece didn't set the OP back too awful much.
     
  6. potty dollar 1878

    potty dollar 1878 Well-Known Member

    I agree it might be fake.
     
  7. YoloBagels

    YoloBagels Well-Known Member

    Looks like plating is coming off and it also has verdigris on the bottom right. The fact that this series is heavily counterfeited doesn't help. I'm not an expert on these at all but I would try to get my money back.
     
    Matthew Kruse likes this.
  8. Razz

    Razz Critical Thinker

    The verdigris is a telling sign. It would not grow on 90% pure gold but does grow on gold plate. Also, I am not a gold coin expert but my US gold coin from the same time period is worn, but does not show dark areas as the OP's coin. Polish_20210118_170629430.jpg
     
  9. scottishmoney

    scottishmoney Buh bye

    1851golddollar.jpg

    The colour it should appear to be.
     

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  10. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    I'm thinking it's a gold charm, likely only worth a few bucks, not real gold at all. Here's two of mine, actually my only two. ;) The one with the "G" is 20k and the one in the 14k bezel has an "M" on it but the Token is only 11k gold, hard to pic with a cell! :D

    1871b.JPG 1871a.JPG 1871d.JPG 1871c.JPG 1871e.JPG M1871d.JPG M1871f.JPG M1871g.JPG M1871h.JPG M1871c.JPG
     
    David Betts likes this.
  11. potty dollar 1878

    potty dollar 1878 Well-Known Member

    Fake by being the real thing its most likely gold plated they are very very tiny I couldn't keep track of them.
     
    David Betts likes this.
  12. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    If anyone cares, I'd be willing to part with the gold token I placed above but not the one in the bezel as that's a true rarity. The other one is rare as well as most BG Tokens are, but for the right price or trade I'd part with it! Just sayin'! :D
     
  13. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Referring to the OP coin, do you see a denomination on it? D? DOL? DOLLAR? No? Well ALL of the genuine California Fractionals have a denomination on them. The first two things you look for on a California fractional are "Does it have a bear on the back?" If it does it's a fake. "Does it have a denomination?" If it doesn't it's a fake.
     
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