Fractional, Pioneer Gold Coins
Fractional, Pioneer Gold Coins. During the California gold rush (which began in earnest in 1849 and reached a peak in 1852) small denomination coins were in short supply in the California territory. Local mints produced tiny tokens made of real gold with values of $1 or fractions thereof. You can read about them in various numismatic reference books. Genuine territorial gold tokens are worth hundreds of dollars if they are authentic and in nice condition. Far more commonly seen, however, are modern replicas. These are typically made of brass, perhaps plated with a thin coating of gold. Such tokens are of nominal value only, perhaps a dollar or so. (If a replica is made of solid gold, it is worth roughly the meltdown value of the metal.) Real territorial gold pieces usually have the word "dollar" along with a denomination on one side, and the year of issue with a Liberty head on the other side.
1855 25C PCGS MS64 BG227 California Gold, 1871 25c PCGS MS63 BG-862 R6+ California Gold, 1904 1/4 LPE Prooflike Gem Louisiana Fractional Gold, 1859 25c PCGS AU58 BG-705 High R6 Octagonal Liberty, 1874 25C MS64 PCGS BG-795 CALIFORNIA FRACTIONAL GOLD, 1871 50c PCGS MS 61 BG-927 California Fractional Gold, 1900 NGC Alaska Gold 1/2 Pinch, 1854 25C BG-108 NGC CALIFORNIA FRACTIONAL GOLD.
 |
