California fractional gold coins are tokens struck in California to make up for the lack of US small denomination coins in the western US. During the early gold rushes, there was no nearby US mint in the west, and there was an abundance of gold. So people used the US gold standard price ($20.67 per troy ounce, since the US dollar was on a gold standard) and made coins with the required amount of gold to make up for small change. These coins are today very collectible, however, fakes abound and there is little information about them online.
Old gold coi
All $20.00 gold coins have .96750oz of pure gold in them.
To determine the authenticity of an 1852 hexagonal California gold coin, it is best to consult with a professional coin grader or dealer who specializes in rare coins. They will thoroughly examine the coin's physical features, weight, metallic composition, and possible signs of counterfeiting. It is important to avoid online purchases from unknown sources and to research reputable coin authentication services or experts in your area.
All California gold coins need to be seen for an accurate assessment. The U.S. Mint never issued a octagonal coin of any denomination. Find a coin dealer in your area to take it to.
11-0024/1210
The coins are .900 gold & .100 copper and have .12094oz of pure gold.
The coin is one of more than 500 known varieties of "California Fractional Gold" coins with denominations of $1.00 - 1/2 dollar & 1/4 dollar and none are US Mint products. Most of the coins are considered "Tokens" and have little or no collectible value. Some of the coins actually have gold in them but it's very low grade gold. It's best to take to a dealer or collector for a idea if it has value.
20 dollars
Fractional gold coins are not US Mint issue but were privately minted and the dates range from 1852-1883, some are round and others are octagonal. Coins with a bear on them regardless of date are modern replicas that have no or very little value, more than 500 types are known so the coin must be seen for a accurate assessment. Please take it to a dealer for a better idea of value.
Less than $5 is what they usually go for on eBay.CorrectionTo be properly evaluated your coin needs to be inspected in person by an expert. There are several different varieties of genuine California fractional gold coins, and far more fakes. Most genuine ones are in the $300 to $1000 range, while the fakes sell for a couple of dollars.
It is nearly impossible to tell you how much California fractional gold coins are worth based on words alone. To say the series is complicated is an understatement. There are many different denominations and varieties of coins, struck in different purities. There are also many replicas of these pieces in existence and there is rarely an easy way to tell what you can look for to determine if your piece is authentic or a replica, especially without pictures. Your best bet would be to take your coin to a reputable coin dealer who knows about these coins/tokens or to post pictures on a specialty coin forum.
Fractional gold coins are not US Mint issue but were privately minted and the dates range from 1852-1883, some are round and others are octagonal. Coins with a bear on them regardless of date are modern replicas that have no or very little value, more than 500 types are known so the coin must be seen for a accurate assessment. Please take it to a dealer for a better idea of value.
None of the fractional California gold coins are US Mint issued coins, the Mint has never produced a gold coin with a value under one dollar. Most modern tokens have bears on the reverse, they may also contain some gold so try the magnet test. Because so many types exist it's best to have a expert look at the coin, but even if it is authentic don't expect a high value.
The coin is one of the many known varieties of "California Gold" coins and none are U.S. Mint products. Most of the coins are considered "Tokens" and have little or no collectible value. Some of the coins actually have gold in them but it's very low grade gold. It's best to take to a dealer or collector for a idea if it has value.
Canada mints fractional coins (i.e. < $1) in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. The other two denominations are $1 and $2.
Fractional Currency was used during the Civil War due to the fact that many people were hoarding coins for the metal and gold, not for the monetary value. Fractional currency is small denominations that are less than the standard monetary unit. For example, paper money that is worth less than $1. Fractional currency was commonly issued during the Civil War by the government.
The first coins to circulate in Britain date to around 150 BC and were brought from Northern Gaul by the Celts. The coins were made from gold and known as a "Stater". The Celts began minting gold "Stater" and "Quarter Stater" coins around 100 BC and smaller silver and bronze denominations known as a "Unit" and fractional coins in each metal.
This piece needs to be seen for an accurate assessment. It is NOT a U.S. Mint issue. The lowest denomination gold coin issued by the Mint is One Dollar. They are California Small-Denomination and or Fractional gold. Some are round, others octagonal with Indian heads or Liberty heads. Most of these pieces are gold plated. Coins with bears on them regardless of date, are modern replicas that have no collectible value. Some pieces do have value, so take it to a coin dealer. But don't be disappointed if it's worthless.