I recently aquired a 20 dollar gold piece from 1860, which has the date and an eagle on the front, and it says Clark to the left of the eagle, gruber on top of the eagle, and & co. to the right of the eagle. On the back it says pikes peak gold, and has a picture of a mountain that says denver underneath. It's in excellent condition. The local coin dealer offered me 200 dollars for it, but I told him I'd have to get back to him
The odds are strongly in favor of the coin being either a counterfeit or a replica. The $20 coins are rarely ever seen. As for your dealer offering $200 - if genuine the coin would sell in the thousands. Take a look at this web site - Click Here I would take Mr.Kagin up on his offer and contact him about the coin.
I got it from my great grandfather, who apparently got it around 1925, so I think it may be genuine. Also, I forgot to mention that he lived in Denver until 1980.
I just got back from another local dealer who weighed the coin, and determined it was in fact counterfeit. I think my grandfather was confused perhaps when he told me the date it was aquired. Does anyone know of a good reference guide to find out how much a coin should weigh? Also, what are some good scales for weighing coins?
A Guide Book of United States Coins (red book) is a good place to get the wieghts and measuments for different coins. They are listed at the begining of each coin type. Plus there are production numbers and pricing, though the prices are generally about 12 to 18 months out when the book is new. Overall it is good for reference.
Generally you want a coin scale to weigh things to within .01 ( one 1/100th ) of a gram. Price ranges can run from the gamut from around $30 to several hundred dollars. You can find a list of manufactures and various retailers by - Clicking Here
One Dealer offers you $200 and another one weighs the coin and says that it is a counterfeit, HUM!!!??? I would advise you to find an upcoming Coin Show in your area or nearby! Take the coin there and have it checked by one of the Grading Services that usually have a table for examining coins and accepting coins for grading. Many coins in a series have varying weights and especially coins that were minted some 165 years ago. So, I would not trust one Dealers word for it and would take it to the Coin Show for a Professionals assessment. Frank
Hey, I know this is a little late, but does your coin have an "R" on the reverse below the mountain? If so, it is a replica coin manufactured in Denver in the 1960's. I have one too. ~AJ
Another question if the coin is counterfeit is it real gold or gold plated. Even if counterfeit and is still made of gold, it would sill be worth melt. So the question is, if counterfeit, is it still gold?
