Editor i keep reporting souvenir tokens as counterfeit or misrepresented, depending on the lot in question, but the items continue to. See more ideas about us history, california history and gold rush. The need for smaller fractional denominations of gold coins may have been met by hundreds of varieties of small gold pieces in quarter, half, and dollar sizes. Feb 26, 2014 gold in california help with 1855 12 california gold coin community forum stay safe and healthy. This page shows two of the most common fake california gold pieces, dated 1852 and. This page shows two of the most common fake california gold pieces, dated 1852 and 1857, but there are oodles more fakes. Ngc, stacks bowers galleries identify new california. Gold 25c pcgs ms64 bg224 california fractional gold. California fractional gold is one of the most extensively imitated series, and the 2012 guide book cautions in bold letters beware of extremely common modern replicas. California fractional gold 18521882 values pcgs price. Buy california fractional gold coins california fractionals.
May 05, 2018 most fakes are fantasy coins produced mostly in the 1960s. Get the best deals on california fractional gold when you shop the largest online selection at. We provide cal fracs for sale in various bg numbers and different coin values all relating to california gold. Apr 25, 2018 a small gold coin originally thought to be a fake was authenticated in april by experts as an 1854 california gold rush coin struck at the san francisco mint. Gold 25c pcgs ms65 bg722, ogh old green label holder.
I have yet to see a fake that matches any of the coins in this reference book. Here, from this staging area, you can jump off to one of cgos two frontiers by clicking on one of the two images below. Cal gold is attributed by bg numbers for breengillio and ngc grades all of the coins listed by the authors as period one and period two. The coins were obtained by florida collector in the 1960s, long before the unesco convention that turned foreign governments into treasure hunters. Usually they will have the word dollar with a fraction if a quarter or half dollar, but there are also some that are. The manufacture of gold dollars, halves and quarters ceased in 1856, probably as federal silver coins from the new san francisco mint took their place. These tokens are base metal gold plated or layered reproduction souvenirs of gold tokens issued during the california gold rush. These sets were made in the 1970s for the gift shop trade. This march 6, 2017 coin world article by michael bugeja deals with fake versions of california fractional gold coins, another recent topic. Sep 14, 2016 california fractional gold pieces were struck by private mints in california in order to fill a need for smaller denominations in commerce.
I only sell replica coins for collections, none of the coins in my shop are original. Central america, that sank in 1857 on a voyage from panama to new york city, according to the california gold marketing group cgmg of brea, california. Dec 01, 20 period three coins are the most mysterious of all, as they were all backdated by their makers in an effort to avoid prosecution. Certified coins have been submitted to a professional grading service such as the numismatic guaranty corporation ngc or the professional coin grading service pcgs for a professional opinion of the coins authenticity and grade the service places the coin inside a plastic holder nicknamed slab in the industry, which. Here are a few tips to tell if you have the real deal. Fractionalcalifornia gold coins golden eagle coins. More california gold replicas in online portals coin update. Also, the small california gold coins and tokens have been made in many locations other than california, often with a claim of being from california on the piece and these items are generally labeled as california gold coins or tokens. California gold, real, replica and fake proxiblogs top. And most certainly does not say california gold on it in place of a denomination. After the coins were taken to spain for auction, the mexican government contacted the fbi asking for their help.
The numismatic coin collecting specialty area known as us california fractional gold is highly sophisticated and very complex. These are made of gold, typically in the 1930s, and sold as souvenirs of the west. California fractional gold or cal gold coins were minted by private individuals, primarily by the jewelers in san francisco to meet the commercial needs, and they were legal up until 1864. Jun 26, 2018 brea, california an amazing grouping of extraordinary quality california fractional gold coins were recovered during the latest mission to the fabled ship of gold, the s. California fractional gold coins collectors universe. Selling the unique world of california fractional gold and territorial gold coins made famous in the gold rush era of americas 1800s. A bunch of fractional ca gold coins genuine or not. Once youve arrived there, you will find it a breeze to surf back and forth between these two. Ca san francisco,1954, 2003 1 2 each california pioneer fractional gold by walter breen and ronald j. There was a shortage of small change in california during this time period and these privately issued gold coins were intended to alleviate that shortage. Best gold detection prices online gold detection for sale with amazing discounts from top websites check out the best deals today by and buy online now.
The gold dollars closely matched the size and fineness of the federally issued gold dollars of the same era. The california of the 1840s and 1850s was no exception. Gold 25c pcgs ms63 bg727 california fractional gold. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Souvenir california gold tokens uncirculated type set 10 etsy. Jun 24, 20 not so with ebay, which made a big numismatic splash last year announcing that replicas and copies of coins no longer will be allowed on the portal. Web home of mike locke california gold calgoldcoin. Partnerships which produced fractional gold coins include those of deriberpe and nouizillet marked d. There are several reference books on the subject, such as california fractional gold by david doering 1982 and california gold. Genuine pieces are tiny and valuable, and they may appear crude and poorly made. Historic gold rush small change 18521857 and supressed jewelers issues 18581882 is an expert, exhaustive, and readable resource on these coins of the california gold rush.
All california fractional gold from periods one and two are denominated. As time progressed from the early days of the 1850s up until the early 1900s the purpose and style of the coins changed. There are four kinds of tiny metal disks being billed as california gold. Collecting period one california fractional gold by mike. California fractional gold coins are rare gold coins minted privately during the gold rush of the 19th century. I have 4 california gold proof coins, dated 1853, 1857, 1859. California gold in small denominations santa clarita. Everyone thought this coin from the california gold rush was. California gold, real, replica and fake proxiblogs top online coin. We are seeing plated tokens being billed on proxibid as california gold.
California fractional gold is a historically significant series that includes more than 500 varieties and a number of counterfeit coins. Only three were known to survive into modern times. Sep 18, 2017 california fractional gold is a historically significant series that includes more than 500 varieties and a number of counterfeit coins. The 1853 has a octagon shape with indian head, the 1857 is round with indian head, and the two 1859 coins have what i think are liberty heads both are octagon shaped, but are different sized coins. The california fractional coins were a unique and distinctive part of the california experience, even though they were obsolete so the jewelers kept on making coins for souvenirs.
The highest valued california fractional gold coin to sell at. However, ebay sellers continue to be the most atrocious resellers of fake california gold coins and replicas thereof. Historic gold rush small change 18521856 and suppressed jewelers issues 18591882 walter breen and ronald gillio published by pacific coast auction galleries, california 1983. France 1861b gold plated napoleon 20 francs copy coins.
However, if you keep just a few things in mind when collecting these coins you should be able to avoid many of the modern restrikes and fakes. Welcome to cgo the home of california smalldenomination gold. Make offer 1853 round liberty 50c california fractional gold coin bg428 ngc au58. Token us california fractional gold fake counterfeit 1849 to 1857. The reverse of an authentic california fractional gold coin has a denomination on it, such as 14, 12 and 1 dollar. These usually come in denominations of 14, 12 and 1 dollars, and dollar is sometimes abbreviated to d. Womens suffrage centennial commemorative coin actsec. Jul 17, 2012 santa ana, california the popular pcgs price guide now includes listings for california fractional gold coins. Certified coins are a growing part of the coin collecting hobby. Almost half of 472 lots titled california gold in a recent ebay search.
Brief history and description california fractional gold coins were produced between 1852 and 1876, although the origins of the coins actually dates back to 1848 during the california gold rush when they were used as a method of. Greatly revised and expanded from the original 1980s release, california pioneer and fractional gold. These fantasy coins have designs that dont match any of the originals which are shown in the standard reference for this seriessmall denomination california gold coins by walter breen and ron gillio. Though operating on shaky legal ground, the united states secret service had launched a crackdown on the manufacture and sale of fractional gold coins, claiming that these pieces violated the federal governments exclusive right to coin money. Dollars, half dollars, quarter dollars by kenneth lee 1979. Unprecedented cache of superb california fractional gold. Out of this shortage of small currency, the california fractional gold coins were born. California fractional gold coin question coin community. The coins were issued beginning in 1852 in 25 cent, 50. Real california fractional gold has a denomination on the reverse.
The photo above features a genuine california fractional gold piece with a us. France 1861b gold plated napoleon 20 francs copy coins free shipping. California fractional gold reference books nov 30, 2011. These were minted privately up until around 1871 and are authentic gold, usually with a miner or other scene on the reverse or text on an obviously gold planchet. Quarterly journal of the numismatic bibliomania society see other formats quarterly journal of the numismatic bibliomania society volume 27, no. Coin collectors blog a blog by coin collectors for coin. Buy california fractional gold coins capstone acquisitions. And many of the contemporary tokensreplicas were not authentic california gold, but still made. It is the only comprehensive online resource available for market values of this historic series of small 25cent, 50cent and one dollar denomination gold coins privately struck from 1852 to 1882.