http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3798/1852gold0020zj.jpg I have seen several of these researching this coin but none with this reverse. Any ideas on the coin or the value??
Although I can find some that are very similar I cannot find a match for that token. I would suggest that you contact Mike Locke at lockem@calgoldcoin.com - he knows more about these than just about anyone. If you haven't already - visit his web site Cal Gold
Thank you much better answer. I also have looked high and low an cannot find this reverse. I will contact him, Thank you
Actually, I think it's authentic. Normally the fake ones don't say "GOLD" they only have a fractional denomination like 1/2 or 1/4 w/o "Dollar, Half Dollar, or Quarter Dollar." The die-crack also points to it being authentic as well as the wear. Bone
It may well be an authentic token but it's certainly not an authentic coin. All of the authentic Cal gold coins have a denomination on them. That one does not.
Oh, I see what your saying. Yes, it's a private gold token menat to be used like gold coin. I happen to have a couple of the fakes and have been to this very same rodeo a couple of years ago B
I should have been more clear. All of the genuine Cal Gold coins were privately made and issued - there was no govt. entity at the time. Technically they are all tokens. Often the only thing that differentiates the genuine article from the reproduction is when it was made. Many of the reproductions are made of gold, but they weren't made in California during the late 1840's and early 1850's.
Here is his response to my question. David, Thanks for writing. The token you have is on my list as Wreath4d Oct 1/4 1852 Indian #2 It is a token made for collectors by Sidney Smith (a once prominent Florida coin dealer) in the 1960s or early 1970s. He made them both in brass and in solid (14k?) gold. I cannot be certain of which you have from your picture. The gold tokens are slightly thinner than the brass tokens and have a peculiar pink hue. I sell brass examples for $10 and gold examples for $40. I am not buying them right now because I have an excess inventory of them. It is not a "fake" to the extent that it does not replicate any of the 19th century California gold designs. For example, Indian heads first appeared on California gold in 1872 and all of the 19th century issues have a wreath that looks more like a wreath than a stick figure representing a wreath. All of the 19th century Indian head issues are very thin and plated with 24K gold. The shape of the Indian head, lettering, stars, rim ornaments etc all are completely different compared to a 19th century issue. The only thing I do know is it is a gold coin by his description, sound feel ect.. Thanks for the input!! thats why I love this place, If you dont know someone will :secret:
