1853 California 1/2 dollar gold coin

[Beachkid23]

Real or fake? It tests for gold. Going to have it x-rayed tomorrow. 11 mm across. Half a gram weight. Wondering what everybody’s thoughts are on this one.

 

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[GB1]

it looks off to me.

 

[Icewing]

Real or not,once it's been made into jewelry it's value is pretty much limited to its value as jewelry or scrap.

Personally I think that's a stupid rule but It is what it is.

 

[IDXMonster]

What does it say on the reverse?

 

[Beachkid23]

The back says ,

California gold half D.

These pictures came out way better!

 

[ArfieBoy]

I found one similar in the Red Book... however, according to the book the real one doesn't have just the "D" for Dollar. It says the dollar indication is "DOL.", "DOLL.", or "DOLLAR." You should have it authenticated by a reputable dealer. God Luck!

 

[Kray Gelder]

I found a lot of images of this coin, and they are all different! Everybody and their brother was or is stamping 1853 california gold 1/2 coins, it seems. Good luck, I can't help you.

 

[masterjedi]

Arfieboy is correct... The real ones said on the coin some form of the denomination. There are many fakes out there.

To be real, it must say the dollar indication like "DOL.", "DOLL.", or "DOLLAR.

Cool though...

 

[Beachkid23]

Arfieboy is correct... The real ones said on the coin some form of the denomination. There are many fakes out there.

To be real, it must say the dollar indication like "DOL.", "DOLL.", or "DOLLAR.

Cool though...

There are others on eBay though
Some graded. Maybe have to send it in?

 

[Beachkid23]

I just googled the name as I posted one from eBay. Gotta be the same thing I’m thinking. Too bad it has a hole.

 

[Dozer D]

Weight at a HALF A GRAM, I don't think that's right, not for gold. Should be heavier I think.

 

[huntsman53]

Lots of these were faked, counterfeited and just plain reproduced, the latter for use as pendants. I would say that it is definitely not genuine due to the too high and somewhat screwed up rims, the tilted denticles and the fact the the Stars on the Obverse are blobby and the inner points don't appear to be pointed towards the true center of the coin.

 

[Mackaydon]

I believe it is what is appears to be: a trinket of nominal value
Don......

 

[trdking]

Highly faked and really the only way to tell on some is the weight as mentioned above. A half gram Is about right for the weight with gold at a dollar a gram. Check out the weight. It has a hole so you will never know the exact weight but if it is close and light you may be onto something. It does not look cast to me.

 

[huntsman53]

Highly faked and really the only way to tell on some is the weight as mentioned above. A half gram Is about right for the weight with gold at a dollar a gram. Check out the weight. It has a hole so you will never know the exact weight but if it is close and light you may be onto something. It does not look cast to me.

It was likely produced with crudely made Dies. Jewelers would make a cast of the Obverse and Reverse, try to fix problems with details...lettering and Dates that were inherent when casting and then make poorly formed Dies to strike the coins for jewelry mainly using the squeeze method.

 

[Madmox]

Given I am not positive if it was true with old gold eagles but that the front and back are not rotated the same angle would be a dead giveaway on a newer coin.

 

[cudamark]

These were privately minted with hundreds of varieties, so, I'd have an expert look at it. The diameter is right, even though as Huntsman and others mentioned, some of the features look a bit off.

 

[Beachkid23]

Thank you all very much.

 

[Beachkid23]

I put it on a coin forum on Facebook and the guy told me right away it was real and worth about $100. That works. He had a rare book though and collects them. So probably the perfect guy for finding information on it!

 

[A2coins]

Fake I dont see someone drilling one of those out theres other ways to mount it for a necklace the weight isnt heavy enough either JMO