What is this?

Hey guys anybody know what this coin is, the date is 1842. is it gold? anybody know anything about this coin and its value please share. Thanks.

 

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The bust isn’t right for an 1842 dated gold coin. They were using the Liberty Head by 1842...... Is there any way you could photograph the piece next to something recognizable to get some size perspective?

 

I dont have any other gold coins.

 

I mean... Photograph the piece beside a nickel or quarter or something similar. Something that will give a size perspective.

 

I don't think gold would turn that color

 

I agree. It appears to be something designed to look like an old gold coin. But it’s the wrong bust for 1842. The knobs top and bottom lead me to think it may be some jewelry fob or something.

 

Ok heres a picture of it next to a dime, it is slightly smaller then the dime.

 

Fake coin made for jewelry, probably gold plated at one time.

 

Well then.... See if I can make sense here. Based on the size, yes it appears that it is sized to be a 2 1/2 dollar gold coin. Now, look at the photo below. The coin on the left is a “classic head” design. That’s what I am seeing on your piece. The coin on the right is a “Liberty head” design. The Liberty head is the design that the mint was using in 1842..... Secondly, gold usually does not corrode like your piece exhibits. It isn’t unheard of, but is very unusual to see gold corrode like that....... I think what you have is interesting to be sure. But I am fairly certain it is not gold or a US coin. I believe it is something created by a jeweler to adorn a jewelry item or something like that.

 

That appears to be a casting coin, meaning someone was either trying to produce a fake coin, or some other reason. The knobs at the top and bottom look like casting sprues IMHO.

 

What does the reverse look like?

 

It has the same reverse as the 2 1/2 dollar coin

 

Agreed.

 

Pics?

 

He posted them in the original post.

 

I have never seen a picture of the reverse which is what I was referring to from an earlier post.

 

Gotcha

 

just to throw this out there. Back in the old days we used to get coin "charms" for cheap jewelry making. They look kinda like US coins and were gold, silver, aluminum, etc plated depending upon the price, look and wear you wanted.

The OPs images reminds me of that considering the bezel. I'm sure if you google something like "coin charm for jewelry" you'll come up with a lot of hits of modern examples.