Gold coming from the gold fields had to be shipped to new orleans to get minted into coins so private local companies minted their own coins to fill the void. Sep 01, 2019 california gold coins were produced by businessmen and jewelers. These coins were privately minted in round and octagonal shapes in response to the sharp lack of small coinage during the gold rush of mid1800. Most fractional gold coins were crudely hand struck. There are four kinds of tiny metal disks being billed as california gold. Find the current california fractional gold values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade. California fractional gold ngc coin certification company. California fractional gold 18521882 values pcgs price. Last week we discussed fake hobo nickels being offered online. Third, report any item or return the lot to the consignor if you cannot locate the bg number. Nice pictorial first edition by david and susan doering. But gold american eagle and canadian maple leaf coins are also produced in sizes less than one full ounce. Partnerships which produced fractional gold coins include those of deriberpe and nouizillet marked d. 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.
Very few california gold coins in these fractional sizes circulated. Learn more about california fractional gold territorial coins and get more. More california gold replicas in online portals coin update. California fractional gold 18521882 values pcgs price guide. And many of the contemporary tokensreplicas were not authentic california gold, but still made. Upon seeing this fake fractional gold piece in power auction on, i emailed auctioneer dave gregory, stating. Superb california fractional gold coins among ss central. Editor editor i keep reporting souvenir tokens as counterfeit or misrepresented, depending on the lot in question, but the items continue to be sold on proxibid and ebay. A while back, clinker had a fascinating trivia thread about the 1848 cal quarter eagle gold pieces. Token us california fractional gold fake counterfeit 1849 to 1857 this page shows two of the most common fake california gold pieces, dated 1852 and 1857, but there are oodles more fakes. Etsy your place to buy and sell all things handmade.
Like their 1ounce cousin, these coins are 24 karat gold, preferred for international shipping and longterm storage. If you have a gold testing kit, try it on that to bee 100% sure. 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. California fractional gold book by doering old west gold coins. Selling the unique world of california fractional gold and territorial gold coins made famous in the gold rush era of americas 1800s. Buy california fractional gold coins california fractionals. California fractional gold coins are rare gold coins minted privately during the gold rush of the 19th century. The other side of this noncoin says eureka, which was not used on real california fractional gold coins. Help with 1855 12 california gold coin community forum. 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. Surprisingly, interest in these coins lags among collectors.
The size is about right, but this is a fantasy piece thats sold by novelty shops and by unscrupulous ebayers who try to pass them off as genuine or pretend not to know if they are. 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. Earlier this month we warned about fake and replica california fractional gold selling on proxibid, noting that the company eventually persuaded the auctioneers to take it down. We provide cal fracs for sale in various bg numbers and different coin values all relating to california gold. 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. The naismith memorial basketball hall of fame program includes half dollars, silver dollars, and fivedollar gold coins. With this new catalog, collectors have an authoritative reference that removes the mystery and. California gold, real, replica and fake proxiblogs top. I have yet to see a fake that matches any of the coins in this reference book. The royal canadian mint produces fractional gold maple leafs in onetenth, onequarter, and onehalf ounce versions.
The mining and panning of the precious metal brought in an influx of immigrants to san francisco in1849. And most certainly does not say california gold on it in place of a denomination. None of the nondenominated versions circulated, and the evidence only supports that. 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. The numismatic coin collecting specialty area known as us california fractional gold is highly sophisticated and very complex. These usually come in denominations of 14, 12 and 1 dollars, and dollar is sometimes abbreviated to d. California fractional gold coin question coin community. New 2021 official red book will debut april 7 coin. Real california fractional gold has a denomination on the reverse. However, if you keep just a few things in mind when collecting these coins you should be able to. Whether you are making a longterm investment or simply admire the beauty of precious metals, apmex provides the tools to help you make the best choice for your portfolio. Kagin, donald, private gold coins and patterns of the united states ny arco 1981. Token us california fractional gold fake counterfeit 1849.
A bunch of fractional ca gold coins genuine or not. Common coin questions heritage auctions rare coins. That right there is most likely a fake becuase it is crude. Check your red book to see if you can find one like yours. Along with these territorial gold items, they form a teriffic history lesson. California gold proxiblogs top online coin auctions. Gold is one of the most extensively imitated series, and the 2012 guide book cautions in. California fractional gold coins collectors universe. Period three coins are the most mysterious of all, as they were all backdated by their makers in an effort to avoid prosecution. Souvenir california gold tokens uncirculated type set 10 tokens coins in a case gold rush fever fractionals gift shop trade. Sep 18, 2017 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. The reason the coins never circulated much after 1854, was because the san francisco mint opened that year alleviating the coin shortage in california. They come in sizes of 12ounce, 14ounce, and 110th of an ounce. Souvenir california gold tokens uncirculated type set.
Web home of mike locke california gold calgoldcoin. Bound with decorated boards, black with goldcolored coins, white rners, bottom edges and spine ends show chipping. 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. California gold coinage is a broad category of privatelyissued coinlike items that were used in place of official currency in the united states territory later state of california during the gold rush of 1849. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on collectors corner, the collectibles marketplace, where you can buy safely from the worlds top coins dealers. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on. The new volume includes completely updated pricing and auction data reflecting the current market for collectible u.
Santa ana, california the popular pcgs price guide now includes listings for california fractional gold coins. The reverse of an authentic california fractional gold coin has a denomination on it, such as 14, 12 and 1 dollar. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on collectors. California gold coins california fractional gold coin. I have 4 california gold proof coins, dated 1853, 1857, 1859. The california gold coins trace their origins to the discovery of the gold nuggets in the waste canal of sutters lumber mill along the american river. 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. Jul 17, 2012 santa ana, california the popular pcgs price guide now includes listings for california fractional gold coins. Even by the 1870s the amount of gold in the denominated fractional california gold was debased, sometimes to a quarter or much less of the actual claimed value in gold. Second, locate the bg number from coinfacts or from the original source. Buying precious metals doesnt have to be intimidating.
California fractional gold hardcover january 1, 1982 by david doering author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. In any event, enough is known to safely say that about 90% of coins claiming to be california fractional gold are actually counterfeits or replicas. However, ebay sellers continue to be the most atrocious resellers of fake california gold coins and replicas thereof. Every shape and denomination of small california gold. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on collectors corner, the collectibles marketplace, where you can buy safely from the worlds top coins.
It is the only comprehensive online resource available for market values of this historic series of small 25cent, 50cent and one dollar denomination gold. We are seeing plated tokens being billed on proxibid as california gold. The womens suffrage centennial program calls for a commemorative silver dollar. Edge sounds like you have a replica of a california fractional, small denomination gold piece with a face value of one half dollar.
They are not solid gold they are not circulating coins however, they are authentic california gold souvenirs. Nov 03, 2015 these include walter breens encyclopedia of u. Is this california small denomination gold coin real or fake. Most fakes are fantasy coins produced mostly in the 1960s. The lack of a denomination dates it after the 19th c. California fractional gold 1852 1876 coins for sale on collectors corner, the collectibles marketplace, where you can buy safely from the worlds top coins dealers. 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. Token us california fractional gold fake counterfeit 1849 to 1857. 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. Sealed box of 5x 2020 silver proof sets at cost for sale. Im only aware of two fullfledged books on the subject, california fractional gold. Perhaps this simplified summary will clarify matters.
Greatly revised and expanded from the original 1980s release, california pioneer and fractional gold. In addition to high denomination coinage, private mints in california also made small gold coins in the quarter, half dollar, and dollar denominations, between 1852 and 1882. While a handful of these, such as harts coins of the golden west are. Historic gold rush small change 18521856 and suppressed jewelers issues 18591882 walter breen and ronald gillio published by pacific coast auction galleries, california 1983. This march 6, 2017 coin world article by michael bugeja deals with fake versions of california fractional gold coins, another recent topic. California fractional gold is an interesting and historically significant series. California fractional gold book by doering old west gold. Although most of the pricing noted in the book is out of date, it is still a great guide for the california fractional gold collector. First, there are the pieces struck from 1849 through 1855 in san francisco, in. Their appearance is exactly the same as the full 1ounce size. California gold in small denominations santa clarita. The item in last weeks esylum by michael bugeja on fake california fractional gold coins, plus earlier statements in john lupias numismatic biographies, attest to the competing definitions as to what constitutes a private california gold coin.
Proper response on fake fractional gold coin world. 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. The 74thedition red book features coins from the mints new 2020 commemorative programs. Us california fractional gold fake counterfeit 1849 to.
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. Since the federal government reserves the right to issue legal tender coins, california gold coinage is a misnomer and actually references coinlike ingots with a stated tender value. California fractional gold west coast coins hidden 541 2707006. Pelham, al the 74th edition of the coincollecting hobbys annual guide book of united states coins popularly known as the red book will debut april 7, 2020. Silvertowne auctions shows how to describe a california gold coin. This page shows two of the most common fake california gold pieces, dated 1852 and. Almost half of 472 lots titled california gold in a recent ebay search. 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. We also offer 24 karat fractional coins from the australian perth mint. About 99% of the california gold tokens are fake with jusk layered gold not enough to have any value and are sold as novelty or intentionally made to decieve people. California fractional gold is a historically significant series that includes more than 500 varieties and a number of counterfeit coins.