The reverse of an authentic california fractional gold coin has. California fractional gold historic treasures from the gold rush days. The privatelyminted fractional gold coins during the california gold rush. Shrouded in mystery, alternately praised or ignored by the numismatic community, the privatelyissued fractional gold coinage of california is one of the most. California fractional gold is one of the most extensively imitated series, and the 2012 guide book cautions in bold letters beware of extremely. This page shows two of the most common fake california gold pieces, dated 1852 and. It does not come from california but, most likely, from asia or a u. 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. We continue to see fake and replica california gold being offered on ebay, proxibid, and other online coin portals. Read how the fractional gold pieces were used as money in the california boomtowns. 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.
California fractional gold book by doering old west gold coins. California gold by john jakes goodreads share book. 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 pioneer fractional gold by walter breen, ronald. The numismatic coin collecting specialty area known as us california fractional gold is highly sophisticated and very complex. More california gold replicas in online portals coin update. The book for california fractionals, the affordable carlifornia gold rush private coinage. James macklin chase was a poor pennsylvanian who dreamed of making. It was published by bowers and merena galleries and has a total of 262 pages in the book.
Selling the unique world of california fractional gold and territorial gold coins made famous in the gold rush era of americas 1800s. Specializing in early and rare us copper, gold, and silver coins, including pioneer type and federal currency. It is not a coin, a word that suggests it was minted by the government for commerce. Hi, i wanted to show you the california fractional gold coin i found. California fractional gold book by doering old west gold. 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.
Privatelyissued fractional gold coins of california are one of the most enigmatic areas of american numismatics. Mega red the deluxe edition guide book of united states coins. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on collectors corner, the collectibles marketplace, where you can buy safely from the worlds top coins. 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. Genuine pieces are tiny and valuable, and they may appear crude and poorly made.
Discussion in us coins forum started by numismat, may 21. During the california gold rush there was a shortage of small change and beginning in 1852 several jewelers privately minted gold quarters, half dollars, and dollars. Find the current california fractional gold values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade. Nice pictorial first edition by david and susan doering. Markets regarding small denomination gold coins honed in on an equilibrium that was characterized by slightly underweight california fractional gold pieces of. California fractional gold coins collectors universe. California fractional gold 18521882 values pcgs price.
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. Throughout the early years of the california gold rush there was a constant need for coinage to satisfy the. This is the long out of print book about california fractional gold. With this new catalog, collectors have an authoritative reference that removes the mystery and. This page shows two of the most common fake california gold pieces, dated 1852 and 1857, but there are oodles more fakes. California fractional gold by doering, david and susan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Santa ana, california the popular pcgs price guide now includes listings for california fractional gold coins. Us california fractional gold fake counterfeit 1849 to. 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 reference books nov 30, 2011. Theres a reference book, too, but its out of print, and. Gold variety identified numismatic newsnumismatic news.
California fractional gold is an interesting and historically significant series that includes more than 500 varieties. California fractional gold is a historically significant series that includes more than 500 varieties and a number of counterfeit coins. California gold coins california fractional gold coin. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on javascript in your browser. 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. The title of this book is california pioneer fractional gold and it was written by walter breen, ronald j. California fractional gold pieces are gold coins of small denomination issued by jewelers, engravers, and goldsmiths to satisfy a need for small.
California gold, real, replica and fake proxiblogs top. Im not sure what to think, i doubt its a million dollar coin, but i am having trouble finding more information on the internet about it. Learn more about california fractional gold territorial coins and get more. If you have an interest in the subject this is the only book you need to start to learn and identify all of the variations of california gold. None of the nondenominated versions circulated, and the evidence only supports that the denominated pieces circulated in 18523. Whatever their real story, california fractional gold pieces are a delight to collect and have attracted generations of adventurous numismatists. It is a toss up to decide what bob leonard has done best. There are four kinds of tiny metal disks being billed as california gold. California fractional gold book doering gold rush ebay.
Sep 01, 2019 the privatelyminted fractional gold coins during the california gold rush. Sep 18, 2017 california fractional gold is a historically significant series that includes more than 500 varieties and a number of counterfeit coins. Greatly revised and expanded from the original 1980s release, california pioneer and fractional gold. California fractional gold 18521882 values pcgs price guide.
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. They are not solid gold they are not circulating coins however, they are authentic california gold souvenirs. Web home of mike locke california gold calgoldcoin. California gold, alaska gold coins, fractional gold, tokens, collectors gold. 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 reverse of an authentic california fractional gold coin has a. 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. Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
First, there are the pieces struck from 1849 through 1855 in san francisco, in. Third, report any item or return the lot to the consignor if you cannot locate the bg number. We provide cal fracs for sale in various bg numbers and different coin values all relating to california gold. Us california fractional gold counterfeit 1849 to 1880. Rare softcover breen gillio california pioneer fractional gold. In 1848 the cry eureka we found it went out from california and within weeks a little place called sutters mill became the famous site for the california gold rush. Silvertowne auctions shows how to describe a california gold coin. Jul 17, 2012 santa ana, california the popular pcgs price guide now includes listings for california fractional gold coins. Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone. These usually come in denominations of 14, 12 and 1 dollars, and dollar is sometimes abbreviated to d. 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. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on collectors.
Kicking off the effort to identify the gold piece was the submission of it to ngc. Token us california fractional gold fake counterfeit 1849 to 1857. Perhaps this simplified summary will clarify matters. California pioneer fractional gold soft cover book by breen gillio extremely rare out of print mint condition this is a must have reference book for investorscollectors on real california pioneer fractional gold coins. Ever coin shop around our area that i show the pictures to say it may be a token or a replica. It is the only comprehensive online resource available for market values of this historic series of small 25cent, 50cent and one dollar denomination gold. There is a quick mention of a touristmore andrew, i have just now finished california gold. Ca san francisco,1954, 2003 1 2 each california pioneer fractional gold by walter breen and ronald j. Shannon andrew, i have just now finished california gold. The reverse of an authentic california fractional gold coin has a denomination on it, such as 14, 12 and 1 dollar. None of the nondenominated versions circulated, and the evidence only supports that. 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.
California fractional gold west coast coins javascript seems to be disabled in your browser. Dec 01, 20 privatelyissued fractional gold coins of california are one of the most enigmatic areas of american numismatics. Buying precious metals doesnt have to be intimidating. This book does not touch upon the california native americans. California gold 1849 50 cent 9 star coin coin talk. California fractional gold first edition signed doering, david and susan published by selfpublished, first edition stated, april, 1980, santa monica, ca 1980. Very few california gold coins in these fractional sizes circulated. This collecting area is very rewarding if you have this book you will know what you are doing. 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. California fractional gold 18521876 coins for sale on collectors corner, the collectibles marketplace, where you can buy safely from the worlds top coins dealers. Second, locate the bg number from coinfacts or from the original source. These copies have been plaguing the hobby for decades and are being offered regularly to bidders believing they are buying pioneer fractional gold. Buy gold coins from the pioneer days from the best. Buy california fractional gold coins california fractionals.
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