California Territorial Gold - Beginner collector

Hello,

I have always had a big fascination for the Californian Gold Rush, but never really had the chance to add any gold coins to my collection. Recently I won a few lots of these privately issued small denomination coins/tokens. I am not sure if any of them are considered "coins" per se.

From what I understand there are over 500 different variations of these and many were struck to supplement lack of coinage in the Wild West during their time. They can generally be divided into "Liberty head" and "Indian head" types, but personally I liked the ones depicting a hunter (?) sitting in a landscape with EUREKA in the legend. Many of these tokens/coins are supposedly very rare and could be quite valuable.

I am going to do more research on these and the topic in general, but would be very happy if someone would push be in the right direction. Here are some of the questions I have:

- Any tips on easily available references of these? I only have standard references like the RedBook and Bowers Expert Guide to cover these items
- Are information/comments on the "coins" pictured below? Quality, rarity, value, references, general comment etc?

Would be any for any information you have to share!

Here are photos and some supplementary info:


No.1: 1/4 Dollar 1853, octagonal. EUREKA. Warrior in front of a seascape / CALIFORNIA * GOLD * - 1853 - surrounded by branches. 0.16 g. Die break, extremely fine - brilliantly uncirculated



No.2: 1/4 Dollar 1853. EUREKA. Warrior in front of a seascape/ CALIFORNIA *GOLD*, - 1853 - surrounded by branches . 0,18 g. Extremely fine - brillant uncirculated


No.3: 1/2 dollar 1854. Indian head to the left surrounded by stars / CALIFORNIA.GOLD. In the middle 1854, surrounded by branches. 0.37 g. Extremely fine +



No.4: 1/4 dollar 1857. Indian head to the left surrounded by stars / CALIFORNIA.GOLD centered 1857. 0.23 g. Extremely fine
No.5: 1/4 dollar 1871 (plugged hole). About Very Fine


No.4: 1/4 dollar 1884, octagonal. EUREKA. Warrior in boat, in front of it a bear / CAL.GOLD * CHARM * In the middle 1884. 0.12 g. Die break, extremely fine.

 

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Thanks for the tip - Ill read up on that website.

 

You’re about to enter a minefield
Caution advised

 

The best information I've gotten on California Gold Tokens is from auction books like Holabird-Kagin or Heritage Auctions and the CalGold link Doug left you! I would stay away from all that say Charm on them for sure! Here's one of mine, hard to pic for sure!

 

If it hasn't been graded and slabed I wouldn't touch it.

 

Found out that the coins were sold by Künker in a 11-coin lot earlier this year so that gives them some more assurance i hope.



GOLDMÜNZEN UND -MEDAILLEN AUS ÜBERSEE
VEREINIGTE STAATEN VON AMERIKA / USA. LOT VEREINIGTE STAATEN VON AMERIKA / USA.
Kleine Serie amerikanischer Goldmünzen, u. a. 1 Dollar 1851, Philadelphia (Fb. 84, 1,50 g Feingold) sowie weitere private Kleingoldmünzen (insgesamt 2,75 g).
11 Stück. Unterschiedlich erhalten, Henkelspur (1x), meist sehr schön.

 

It looks like you have purchased some real ones and some fake ones. The rules of thumb are that you stay away from pieces that have a bear on them and pieces with the word “eureka.” It should also have a defined value, like “DOL” or “1/4 DOL”, not just a fraction.

I have only one piece in my collection. It is certified and is dated in the 1850s. Rightly or wrongly, it is my impression that the earlier dated pieces are more likely to be something that the miners might have used and not souvenirs that were made to sell to tourists.

I will post pictures of my piece later when I am on my desk top computer.

 

Thanks for the feedback! Would it be possible to confirm which ones that could be fake of the ones I have purchased?

I found some more information regarding the Kunker sale. It is from Kunker 352 lot 1594 sold in September 2021. Luckily the 352-sale is from a single collector . Hermann Schwarz (1880-1961) and the collection has supposedly laid dormant the last 60 years.

Will the timespan of potential purchase add any consideration to any of the coins being fake or not?

Kunker says: "We are pleased that Hermann Schwarz’s heirs have commissioned Künker Numismatik AG, which follows in the numismatic tradition of Julius Jenke, Egon Beckenbauer and Hauck & Aufhäuser Privatbankiers, to liquidate this collection, which has been dormant for 60 years."

 

Here is the piece from my collection.

 

I have a few pieces of California fractional gold in my collection and these coins are quite fascinating. The previous responses have offered excellent information and advice. If you can find it, the book by Walter Breen and Ronald Grillo is a valuable reference work. I found a copy and it set me back $225 but was worth it in terms of the knowledge and information that the book provides. Also, the advice about buying slabbed coins is good advice as there are countless fakes and counterfeits in the marketplace.

Two other areas of interest to me are the historical responses made to address shortages of government issued coinage both in the US and the United Kingdom. In addition to the few pieces of California fractional gold in my collection, I also have a number of Conder tokens and US fractional currency. The great thing about all three of these series is that there are reference works available that provide catalog numbers and lots of information about any of the coins and/or currency in these series. Have fun.

 

There are Several books on the California Fractional gold pieces. The pieces are cataloged by Breen/Gillio numbers ("BG_XXX") so that is the best book to get. Other books that I have in my library are from Kenneth W. Lee, David Doering and R. H. Burnie. The Breen book is probably the best overall book on the subject. there are several auction catalogs that are great as well. Here are some pictures of the books. All are out of print but available from Numismatic book sellers. Have fun.

 

You need to read and study before entering this field. There are way to many coins and most of them have been faked or reproduced.

 

Have to agree with CN above.
You must educate yourself as much as possible. Read every reference book you can.
Look at every photo carefully, genuine and fakes. And even then, tread lightly.
Perhaps only get a certified graded specimen from a trusted dealer.
This is a dangerous area to get involved in if you are not an expert.

 

Wonderful coin!

 

My relatively unqualified opinion is that you bought from a reputable dealer a lot with reputable provenance, I would also presume they are authentic. I don't really have the budget (nor have I done the research) to collect these, but I did pick up one Details piece that was a real bargain a few years ago - I find the history interesting (that's pretty much my motivation for collecting in general). Also, there's something about Octagon shaped coins that I really like.

 

Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, I am looking forward to learn more about the area.

 

Thanks for the references! Highly appreciated! I have a couple books that a friendly dealer is sending me to borrow, and I'll look into the other ones you posted as well

Here are the ones I am borrowing:

 

Totally agree - I always do quite a bit of research before getting highly involved in a new field, but still fun to spontaneously buy a few coins to just get started