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. Cuba peso 1932 and 1953 1853 half cent ngc vf35 c1 for sale. 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. 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. Order 1914 indian round quarter montana gold ms67 ngc at apmex or call 800 3759006.
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. And it is not a coin, a word reserved for official mints. These usually come in denominations of 14, 12 and 1 dollars, and dollar is sometimes abbreviated to. 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. What is the value of 1854 california fractional gold coin 25. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on. 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 fractional gold ngc coin certification company.
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. 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. California gold, real, replica and fake proxiblogs top. 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. There are four kinds of tiny metal disks being billed as california gold. The book for california fractionals, the affordable carlifornia gold rush private coinage. Buy gold coins from the pioneer days from the best. Some are round, others octagonal with indian heads or liberty. They are california smalldenomination and or fractional gold. I have 4 california gold proof coins, dated 1853, 1857, 1859. 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. Coin collectors and investors consider the california fractional coins as one of the us rare coins. Second, locate the bg number from coinfacts or from the original.
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. California fractional gold hardcover january 1, 1982 by david doering author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The rarity of the fractional gold coins and the increasing demand from gold coin collectors make them ideal gold coin investments. 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. Period three coins are the most mysterious of all, as they were all backdated by their makers in an effort to avoid prosecution.
Perhaps this simplified summary will clarify matters. Greatly revised and expanded from the original 1980s release, california pioneer and fractional gold. They are not solid gold they are not circulating coins however, they are authentic california gold souvenirs. The 1853 has a octagon shape with indian head, the 1857 is round with indian head. Save this search 1987 canada half dollar 50c canadian. Gold pieces of the 1850s california fractionals analyst i totally agree with your assessment that period 1 calfracs circulated as coins. Although most of the pricing noted in the book is out of date, it is. Buy california fractional gold coins california fractionals.
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. All of these have the denomination written on the reverse. 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. Historic gold rush small change 18521856 and suppressed jewelers issues 18591882 walter breen and ronald gillio published by pacific coast auction galleries. The rarity of the fractional gold coins and the increasing demand from gold coin collectors. California fractional gold reference books nov 30, 2011. We provide cal fracs for sale in various bg numbers and different coin.
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. Sep 01, 2019 coin collectors and investors consider the california fractional coins as one of the us rare coins. California fractional gold 18521882 values pcgs price. 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. Find the current california fractional gold values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade. The lowest denomination gold coin issued by the mint is one dollar. California gold proxiblogs top online coin auctions. Special chapter on the saddle ridge hoard treasure. 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. Buying precious metals doesnt have to be intimidating. Help with 1855 12 california gold coin community forum.
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. What is the value of 1854 california fractional gold coin. California assayers did issue fractional gold coins in denominations of 25 cents, 50 cents, and 1 dollar. Denominated in dollars, half dollars and quarter dollars, relatively little is known of their role in commerce, if any. 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. Ca san francisco,1954, 2003 1 2 each california pioneer fractional gold by walter breen and ronald j. Genuine pieces are tiny and valuable, and they may appear crude and poorly made. Edge sounds like you have a replica of a california fractional, small denomination gold piece with a face value of one half dollar. California fractional gold book by doering old west gold coins.
California fractional gold book by doering old west gold. Like the bullion coins, the value of the fractional gold coins is based on the gold spot price plus a premium, or. Originally, many came for the gold rush, but by 1858 many were coming for tourism and curiousity. This would appear to indicate that fractional california gold. Nj180 15 shillings march 25, 1776 new jersey colonial pcgs 58. Specializing in early and rare us copper, pioneer, gold, and. Though operating on shaky legal ground, the united states. The reverse of an authentic california fractional gold coin has a denomination on it, such as 14, 12 and 1 dollar. These coins were privately minted in round and octagonal shapes. 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. 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. 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. Ngc and pmg remain open and fully operational menu.
Very few california gold coins in these fractional sizes circulated. Whether you are making a longterm investment or simply admire the beauty of precious metals, apmex provides. Specializing in early and rare us copper, pioneer, gold. Hi, i wanted to show you the california fractional gold coin i found. Home coins us coins territorial california fractional gold. 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. We provide cal fracs for sale in various bg numbers and different coin values all relating to california gold. The california fractional coins were a unique and distinctive part of the california. In numismatic terms, it relates to the bicentennial quarters, half dollars and dollars of 1976. Silvertowne auctions shows how to describe a california gold coin. 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. Selling the unique world of california fractional gold and territorial gold coins made famous in the gold rush era of americas 1800s.
Nice pictorial first edition by david and susan doering. Some are round, others octagonal with indian heads or liberty heads. California fractional gold coins collectors universe. Historic gold rush small change 18521856 and suppressed jewelers issues 18591882 walter breen and ronald gillio published by pacific coast auction galleries, california 1983. Web home of mike locke california gold calgoldcoin. California fractional gold book doering gold rush ebay. 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. 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 replica is not from california and certainly isnt fractional gold probably brass or gilt plated brass. Simply because there wasnt sufficient coins to satisfy commerce. Historic gold rush small change 18521857 and supressed jewelers issues 1858. 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 coins california fractional gold coin.
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