Low mintage

[MikesDiggins]

I went to a site last weekend that I haven't been to in three years. It's quite a long drive. One of my buddies dug a gold coin on the previous trip. This time it was my turn. As you can see by the picture I have not cleaned it, nor do I think I will. When I got home I found that it is a low mint and the detail looks like it may grade pretty good. What do you think?
Thanks for looking and HH

Mike

 

[Gilligan]

I want to thank everone for their comments, banner votes, and information. A great bunch of people here.
The other gold coin found at this site was also a $2.50 piece (1854 plain) it was found about 200 yards away. The reason we went to this area was I had done some research and found this area mentioned in a old article talking about the problem the shops were having making change for all of the gold coinage they had during the 1860's. 2 gold in 2 trips makes me a believer.
I still have not cleaned the coin, but I am showing a picture I took when I found it. In the sunlight you can see it looks more like gold than the indoor pics.
HH
Mike

Sorry for my skeptical comments earlier, I deleted them. Looks like an awesome coin to me. Great find!!

 

[TORRERO]

Obviously much differant in the light of day !!
Congradulations...
Get it cleaned up, gets some fresh new pics and replace the banner pics with the
good ones.
I think I would fall over if I ever dug an American Gold Coin.

 

[birdman]

Awesome find brother!!

 

[timbobwey]

Nice find, I hope someday to find some old U.S. gold

 

[Tnmountains]

Fantastic find. Enjoy it no matter what you do with it. Great find
TnMtns

 

[kimsdad]

A coin we all dream of finding!

Most highest congrats to you!!!

Thanks for posting the great pics and congrats on making banner!

 

[Tuberale]

I want to thank everone for their comments, banner votes, and information. A great bunch of people here.
The other gold coin found at this site was also a $2.50 piece (1854 plain) it was found about 200 yards away. The reason we went to this area was I had done some research and found this area mentioned in a old article talking about the problem the shops were having making change for all of the gold coinage they had during the 1860's. 2 gold in 2 trips makes me a believer.
I still have not cleaned the coin, but I am showing a picture I took when I found it. In the sunlight you can see it looks more like gold than the indoor pics.
HH
Mike

So you're saying research works? Proof's in your pocket!

Small denomination silver coins here on the far west coast were rare even 5-10 years after Capt. James Scarborough brought news and newspapers of the Sutter's Fort find to Oregon. Even into the 1870's, silver coin was considered suspect here, and greenbacks were ALWAYS discounted. Gold coins, dust and nuggets were so frequently used in place of small denomination coinage that most stores had scales for doing business with, and many business owners could estimate gold purity with a glance.

Glad you're keeping the coin as is. In a protective thick plastic case, I hope. Cleaning can always be done later. Accidental scratches last forever. And you do want this one to last.

 

[kuger]

Statistics have shown that small denomination gold coins are rarer finds out here than there larger brothers,I am not sure why?

 

[Wldbil]

Congrats on the gold and the banner. That is a beautiful coin.

 

[ridgehunter58]

Looks like a desert find, it has that kinda heat/mineralized look to it. I've seen silver with that same look come out of the deserts of the west. Like Nevada,Arizona,and New Mexico.

 

[jrandy]

Chaa Chingggg !! & 7-10 grand at that . Way good find............!

 

[Tuberale]

Statistics have shown that small denomination gold coins are rarer finds out here than there larger brothers,I am not sure why?

Early miners were paid in the largest possible gold coins available, for ease of transportation. Many were taken back home. So if you found $174 worth of gold, you would have received 8 $20, 1 $10, and 4 $1 coins. Or something similar. Just looking at what some of the 49'ers brought back to Oregon with them suggested most of the transported gold coins were largest possible denominations.

Some of that coinage immediately when into post-hole banks, since reliable banks were still hard to find until the 1890's. (Some people claim 2009, but I think that has more to do with how much you had in Goldman-Sachs.)

 

[teleman 2525]

most excellent coin find

 

[Relic Hound]

wow nice find !

 

[creeper71]

U.S. gold coins get a patina from the copper in them. Collectors look for that. Have it professionly cleaned is my recomendation. I'm guessing A.U. 55 on the grade. No flat on the tip of the nose no wear on the curl of hair down her neck. Awesome find!
T

I was thinking the exact same thing as above.... HERE are the updated prices as of this past week... prices start with Xtra Fine 1,580.00 AU50 3,220.00 AU 53 5,410.00 AU55 7,030.00

 

[teleman 2525]

holy smoly banner life time find super congrates

 

[kuger]

The 2 1/2 dollar was very common in Nevada

 

[GioTheGreek]

That's a serious coin.

I can't wait to hear what it's appraised at.

Wicked find man.

Now, back to that new detector you've been looking at online...

 

[kuger]

I personally would like to see this after its been cleaned, because I have never seen gold
come out of the ground looking like copper with what appears to be corrosion on the bottom... (back)
King Tut's gold looked just as good after 5000 years as it did the day it was made...
So clean this and then give us an updated picture, it would be great.
[/quo

I have seen several gold coins come from arid conditions,like the south west or Nevada,and this looks just like them,we call it desert patina

 

[De.Digger]

Congrats on the coin and the banner! Way to go!