This slug - was it inspired by the long-running (20 years) TV show, Gunsmoke ?

Interesting medal. According to the fellow I got this from, a "Gunsmoke" fan had 500 of these minted to celebrate the slug that was used in the Gunsmoke "Treasure of John Walking Fox" Episode (Episode 406, Season 11, which aired on April 16, 1966). When an old buffalo hunter named Jacob Beamus is shot dead in self defense, his loyal Indian partner, John Walking Fox (Leonard Nimoy), starts paying for things with $50 gold pieces, and he becomes the talk of the town, and a target for would-be robbers.

This episode can still be found on the Internet (You Tube, I believe). The Fifty-Dollar gold pieces shown in this episode are described as having a rattlesnake on one side and a Forty Niner panning for gold on the other side.

If you watch the episode, you will see the Forty Niner side of the "gold" slug was actually a Miner Standing Facsimile Gold Slug, of which several types may be seen in the Gold Rush: Medals, Counters, Slugs, and Coins Custom Set. (The Rattlesnake side is never shown in this episode as the facsimile slug actually had an Eagle on the reverse.)

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