California Gold Discovery Medal - Octagonal Slug - Pioneer Days of '49

[WillieBoyd2]

The California Gold Rush was a major event in the state's history and early in the 20th century San Francisco's Irvine & Jachens medal company and other companies began striking medals to commemorate it.

 

A favorite medal design was based on the octagonal $50 gold coin or "slug".

 

They are cataloged in the book Guide to Slugs and Facsimiles by Thomas Jankovsky (2008).

 

I recently acquired this one from a coin dealer's "junk box" for $5.00. The medal was probably made in the 1930's and is listed in Jankovsky's book as number 630.

 

It has damage from attempts to remove certain words from the legends.

 

California Gold Discovery Centennial Medal - State Seal and Days of '49

 

The words in brackets have been smoothed over.

 

Obverse: California State Seal / EUREKA

[sOUVENIR] PIONEER DAYS OF CALIFORNIA / THE DAYS OF '49

 

Reverse:

Copy of U.S. Assay Office $50 gold piece with eagle and shield

FACSIMILE [OF FAMOUS] CALIFORNIA FIFTY DOLLAR GOLD [sLUG USED BY THE] PIONEERS 1850

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIFTY. / IN GOD WE TRUST in banner

 

Bronze, 40mm, 24.06gm

Octagonal, medal orientation

Catalog: J-630 (Jankovsky)

 

I can't think of a reason for the damage to this medal, can anyone else?

 

 

[thebeav]

It looks like it could have been made into a pin, once upon a time.

Great 5 dollar buy !

 

Paul

[RWB]

There are dozens of these things dating from the PPIE of 1915.

[SilverHunterKF]

Judging by the words that were removed, it seems like someone may have been trying to pass this off as some sort of rarity. Perhaps just one uneducated person trying to swindle another.

 

I think it's interesting that it was defaced in this way, cool piece for $5!

[johnny9434]

nice pick up

[RWB]

I recall that the PPIE folks prohibited sale or distribution of all gold plated replicas at the exhibition....but Lee G should check me on that, please.