California assayers did issue fractional gold coins in denominations of 25 cents, 50 cents, and 1 dollar. California fractional gold hardcover january 1, 1982 by david doering author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. 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. California gold proxiblogs top online coin auctions. Hi, i wanted to show you the california fractional gold coin i found. Period three coins are the most mysterious of all, as they were all backdated by their makers in an effort to avoid prosecution. Edge sounds like you have a replica of a california fractional, small denomination gold piece with a face value of one half dollar. Very few california gold coins in these fractional sizes circulated. Denominated in dollars, half dollars and quarter dollars, relatively little is known of their role in commerce, if any. 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. Buying precious metals doesnt have to be intimidating. 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.
They are not solid gold they are not circulating coins however, they are authentic california gold souvenirs. The california fractional coins were a unique and distinctive part of the california. Silvertowne auctions shows how to describe a california gold coin. 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. California gold, real, replica and fake proxiblogs top. 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. Ngc and pmg remain open and fully operational menu. Special chapter on the saddle ridge hoard treasure. Some are round, others octagonal with indian heads or liberty heads. 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. For more information, please call one of our rare coin specialists at 18009286468 to receive a private list of our inventory before we are sold out completely. 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. Home coins us coins territorial california fractional gold.
I believe it is a genuine one, as it is one on the few very small coins that my dealer bought which is standing out as containing. The lowest denomination gold coin issued by the mint is one dollar. We provide cal fracs for sale in various bg numbers and different coin values all relating to california gold. Some are round, others octagonal with indian heads or liberty. Help with 1855 12 california gold coin community forum. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on. Nice pictorial first edition by david and susan doering. They are california smalldenomination and or fractional gold. Selling the unique world of california fractional gold and territorial gold coins made famous in the gold rush era of americas 1800s. The rarity of the fractional gold coins and the increasing demand from gold coin collectors make them ideal gold coin investments. 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 1853 has a octagon shape with indian head, the 1857 is round with indian head. Web home of mike locke california gold calgoldcoin. The numismatic coin collecting specialty area known as us california fractional gold is highly sophisticated and very complex.
Coin collectors and investors consider the california fractional coins as one of the us rare coins. Although most of the pricing noted in the book is out of date, it is. California fractional gold book doering gold rush ebay. California fractional gold book by doering old west gold coins.
We provide cal fracs for sale in various bg numbers and different coin. 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. 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 book by doering old west gold. Second, locate the bg number from coinfacts or from the original. Perhaps this simplified summary will clarify matters. California fractional gold ngc coin certification company. Like the bullion coins, the value of the fractional gold coins is based on the gold spot price plus a premium, or. Specializing in early and rare us copper, pioneer, gold, and.
Greatly revised and expanded from the original 1980s release, california pioneer and fractional gold. This would appear to indicate that fractional california gold either formed a substantial part of the small change in circulation in san francisco in late 1853, or was being shipped east as souvenirs. Nj180 15 shillings march 25, 1776 new jersey colonial pcgs 58. Originally, many came for the gold rush, but by 1858 many were coming for tourism and curiousity. Cuba peso 1932 and 1953 1853 half cent ngc vf35 c1 for sale. 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. Specializing in early and rare us copper, pioneer, gold. Find the current california fractional gold values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade. Though operating on shaky legal ground, the united states. Shrouded in mystery, alternately praised or ignored by the numismatic community, the privatelyissued fractional gold coinage of california is one of the most enigmatic areas of american numismatics. California fractional gold 18521882 values pcgs price.
All of these have the denomination written on the reverse. What is the value of 1854 california fractional gold coin. Buy gold coins from the pioneer days from the best. Whether you are making a longterm investment or simply admire the beauty of precious metals, apmex provides. Sep 01, 2019 coin collectors and investors consider the california fractional coins as one of the us rare coins. 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. Ca san francisco,1954, 2003 1 2 each california pioneer fractional gold by walter breen and ronald j. California fractional gold reference books nov 30, 2011. The reverse of an authentic california fractional gold coin has a denomination on it, such as 14, 12 and 1 dollar. Simply because there wasnt sufficient coins to satisfy commerce. Historic gold rush small change 18521857 and supressed jewelers issues 1858. 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. What is the value of 1854 california fractional gold coin 25. This would appear to indicate that fractional california gold.
Dec 23, 2015 markets regarding small denomination gold coins honed in on an equilibrium that was characterized by slightly underweight california fractional gold pieces of 25. 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. Historic gold rush small change 18521856 and suppressed jewelers issues 18591882 walter breen and ronald gillio published by pacific coast auction galleries, california 1983. Buy california fractional gold coins california fractionals. California gold coins california fractional gold coin. Historic gold rush small change 18521856 and suppressed jewelers issues 18591882 walter breen and ronald gillio published by pacific coast auction galleries. The photo above features a genuine california fractional gold piece with a us currency denomination on the reverse and a fake piece, or replica, on the right with a bear symbol, which is not from the 19th century, not gold and most assuredly not from california. The book for california fractionals, the affordable carlifornia gold rush private coinage.
I have 4 california gold proof coins, dated 1853, 1857, 1859. The rarity of the fractional gold coins and the increasing demand from gold coin collectors. 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. Gold pieces of the 1850s california fractionals analyst i totally agree with your assessment that period 1 calfracs circulated as coins. There are four kinds of tiny metal disks being billed as california gold. I believe it is a genuine one, as it is one on the few very small coins that my dealer bought which is standing out as containing gold it was checked with a machine, i dont know how that works, and i found the exact reference, which is bg876. 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. It is a toss up to decide what bob leonard has done best. For more information, please call one of our rare coin specialists at 1800. And it is not a coin, a word reserved for official mints. Order 1914 indian round quarter montana gold ms67 ngc at apmex or call 800 3759006. Genuine pieces are tiny and valuable, and they may appear crude and poorly made. In numismatic terms, it relates to the bicentennial quarters, half dollars and dollars of 1976. The replica is not from california and certainly isnt fractional gold probably brass or gilt plated brass.
341 1299 1200 61 591 1071 108 375 1093 644 358 153 1198 834 917 1492 177 1206 38 1255 444 297 82 1309 1105 424 426 727 1002 823 1218 1470 906 647 1450 443