Hello everyone, new member here. My father in law and I have been going back and forth about this coin. He is dead set convinced that this coin is worth millions. He said he received it for doing some house construction for some old lady about 15 years back, had it tested and found out it was real gold. He claims that in his research that there were only 7 ever made. He says its a California gold Fractional coin. Ever coin shop around our area that I show the pictures to say it may be a token or a replica. I'm not sure what to think, I doubt its a million dollar coin, but I am having trouble finding more information on the internet about it. Looking for some help or someone who could point us in the right direction!
These were counterfeiters alot...one needs to know what one is doing when buying or selling. I am no expert...but personally I wouldn't touch one including this one unless it was in plastic certified. And even then I do my homework ....first. if dad believes he's got a million dollar coin tell him to spend $50 To prove it....respectfully of course. Even us who have been collecting for decades can and have been fooled by fake copies. Some may not admit it.... but believe me it can and will happen at times.
This is all I could find. What is the value of an 1849 octagonal california gold token? These gold tokens were actually made much later -- even into the 1900's. Value is minimal -- perhaps a couple dollars Even in 1849 gold was $20 an ounce, why would they make .50 cent gold coin,
I have no idea as to the authenticity of this piece, but not only were Territorial gold fifty cent pieces made even twenty five cent pieces were.
On a piece like yours there is really only one rock solid avenue and that is a third party grading service such as NGC. If you have a nearby coin dealer he could help you to submit this for authentication. You will incur maybe a fifty dollar expense but then you will know if you have a marketable coin or a counterfeit. Good luck.
Private mints made gold 50 cent pieces in the 1850s but I don't think they were solid gold. I'm thinking the posted coin is just a souvenir.
Here's a short summary about California fractional gold, from PCGS CoinFacts. It looks like there's still debate over whether they ever circulated, but they're "real" enough to be collected -- and, of course, counterfeited. There's a reference book, too, but it's out of print, and apparently very dear to anyone who's offering a copy for sale!
I am skeptical in that the coin does not use the words 50 cents or 50 C. The cent symbol to me is out of place. It also looks too big for any kind of fractional coin,
It's about 100% that this is not a genuine 1849 California 50 cent gold coin. Tell me more about his research and the 7 that exist. Please provide links. I show no such coin to exist, but I have been wrong before. How large is it? It would have to be about half the size and weight of a $1 gold coin from the same period. Jeff B's link shows no date or denomination to match your coin. Since the gold strike was 1849 it wouldn't be producing fractional coins immediately. It would take some time for there to be a need and a manufacturer. The link says that started around 1852.
I just paid 20 bucks for one that is identical to the pic. very small, about 3/8". put the acid to it and it is indeed gold, but I assumed it was counterfeit.
If yall are skeptical buy them graded. Just be ready to look up the Id numbers and see if its a fake Chinese grade
