CAL Gold Quarter Dollar

[mellery-migration]

Hello,

 

I was recently given this fractional gold piece. I don't know anything about fractional gold (its a very tiny piece!), so I was wondering if anyone could tell me about this coin. From what I've read online a lot of them aren't real, and none of my books have much info on them, so I could use some help please. I'm mostly just looking for an idea of what it is. Also is the G on the obverse for gold or a mint mark (the G looks a little odd to me)? Thanks for the help.

 

 

[MarkFeld]

That does not look like the real thing to me.

[bsshog40]

Does not look geniune to me either! Here's a link to CalGoldthat will give you some info on these.

[mellery-migration]

thanks! I'll check out that website

[mellery-migration]

I wound up finding this, BG-838... I think it looks just like what I have... How do you tell if its genuine? From what I've read its not Period 1 but Period 2. Thanks

 

http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2741&lot=3040

[L1ncolnF4n]

Iunno, the teletrade one and yours do look similar. You really need a better quality picture of yours, as from your pictures, it appears a nice counterfeit green color. But it very well may be authentic.

[robec1347]

Here is one that I owned up till a year ago. The G is the initial of the maker. At one time I knew the name, but I don't any longer

 

[calgoldcoin-migration]

The illustrated piece is BG838. It's a little dirty, but otherwise appears to be a nice coin.

 

There are very few pieces made after 1883 with the word DOLLAR on them, although some of those are very common. It is worth your time to learn to recognize them if you want to buy any California fractional gold.

 

--

Mike Locke California Gold

www.calgoldcoin.com

lockem@calgoldcoin.com

 

[bsshog40]

Welcome Cal Gold. Glad ya got in. These are sometimes hard to tell the real from the fake!

[James_OldeTowne]

It looks genuine to me, especially given the denomination on the reverse. Most of the cheap fakes have no denomination. They are more like "evasion" pieces.

[BillJones]

I too think that it's genuine, but I'm no expert in this area.

 

I've read that some these things were struck with wooden dies. If that is true, it's now wonder that some of them were so crude.

[L1ncolnF4n]

I too think that it's genuine, but I'm no expert in this area.

 

I've read that some these things were struck with wooden dies. If that is true, it's now wonder that some of them were so crude.

 

Could that be the cause of the green hue I'm seeing, or is that just something with my eyes or a bad light?

 

[mellery-migration]

The coin is actually pretty shiny, its just so tiny I can't get a good picture of it.

[James_OldeTowne]

I too think that it's genuine, but I'm no expert in this area.

 

I've read that some these things were struck with wooden dies. If that is true, it's now wonder that some of them were so crude.

 

Could that be the cause of the green hue I'm seeing, or is that just something with my eyes or a bad light?

White balance is off for the images, which is why they look overly greenish. However, you can very often find these coins with a greenish cast. It's a classic hue for fractional gold. In fact, it's one of the things I find really appealing about them. If they were not so very dearly priced, I think it is a series that would be a blast to collect.

 

I love how Dahlonega and Charlotte gold with original skin take on a greenish cast as well.

[mellery-migration]

I've read a lot of posts here about how important it is to be able to take good photographs of coins. Is there a good reference post/article about it?

[Bruceswar]

There is.... Here is the link...

 

Coin Photo Tips