Back to Mike Locke's small gold token index page.

This is a start on a list of larger California gold tokens.

This listing is sorted first by size and second by date, without regard to design. There are a lot more reproductions of genuine gold rush era coins than those shown here.

The tokens here are listed sort-of in date order, but not strictly so. Scan the entire list for what you are looking for.

See Tom DeLorey's article in the June 1980 issue of "The Numismatist" for additional information about the Lincoln medals shown here.

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Round 2 and 2.5 size
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Undated medal for the semi-centennial of the gold Discovery in California (1898). Gilt Brass, stretched a bit to qualify as a "California fractional gold token". Not listed in "So Called Dollars" by H-K, see related piece HK642

Aug 1883 dated gilt medal (very thick) with a maltese? cross with "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" (use this symbol to conquer) and a cross with a cross inside. This symbology is common between many organizations, as this latin motto has been popular since the 3rd century AD. However, since we know from 1883 1/2 round shown on the main tokens page, that the Knights Templar had a big get together in San Francisco in 1883, and these symbols are sometimes used by the Knights Templar, I will tentatively assume that this was issued by the Knights Templar for that meeting. The gilding is very dark (and mostly worn off) on this piece, so the picture has been substantially lightened.

1900 dated brass medal for the 50th anniversary of the admission of California to the U.S.A. This token was probably made for the celebration in the city of San Francisco. Satirical? rendention of the state arms on the obverse.

1915 dated gilt brass medal for the 1915 Panama Pacific exposition in San Francisco. According to the documentation that accompanied this token, 300 were issued to participants in the exposition. This one was purchased in 1917 by Mr. Reeder from vice president Charles J. Bartholomew of the Bank of America. Mr Reeder was a lieutenant in the Army at Pacific Palisades at the time of the purchase (token not in my collection).

Hendric Hudson, 1 DAALDER, from the Fulton-Hudson exposition in NYC in 1909. These are Elder medals. Top to bottom are, gold, bronze, aluminum. Only the aluminum is readily available.

Fulton, 1 TRIP, from the Fulton-Hudson exposition in NYC in 1909. This is Elder medal that was issued in gold, silver and bronze. Gold (top) and Bronze (lower) are shown.

Abraham Lincoln on obverse, "A TOKEN" surrounded by legend, matte finish. A Thomas Elder medal, DeLorey #47.
This one brought $103.50 as lot 6608 in the Heritage CSNS 5/2000 signature sale.
Photo courtesy of Heritagecoin.com

Abraham Lincoln on obverse, "A TOKEN" surrounded by stars on reverse. Not in DeLorey Although resembling the 1910 Lincoln token by Elder listed above, this one is more likely a later date restrike, using the old 1927 reverse die and a new 1910 die. See also 1939.

Apparently these were lacquered when produced, and the lacquer often discolors and impairs the appearance of the token. Most of the lacquer has been chemically stripped from this one. This token measures as 14K gold.

Abraham Lincoln on obverse, "A TOKEN" inside a wreath on reverse. A Thomas Elder medal, DeLorey #48. The second illustration shows an offcenter example. The third illustration shows an aluminum example. The offcenter medal illustrates that these had no rim and were struck open collar. The first piece is rather a bit shy of "GEM". There are large copper inclusions in the metal (the one in the middle runs all the way through the planchet) and plenty of scratches.

Abraham Lincoln on obverse, "A TOKEN" surrounded by stars on reverse. A Thomas Elder token, DeLorey #49
Supposedly 500 issued of this variety by Thomas Elder at the 1939 NY World's Fair HK493
Not really California gold nor a fractional gold token (this is a gold medal), but frequently included in the set due to the similarity of size. The upper token appears to be the "regular UNC" finish, the middle token shows the "matte proof" finish, and the bottom token shows the rare gilt bronze version..

Abraham Lincoln on obverse, "A TOKEN" surrounded by stars on reverse. Not in DeLorey. Although resembling the 1939 Lincoln token by Elder listed above, this one is more likely a later date restrike, using the old 1927 reverse die and a new 1939 die. See also 1910.

Very attractive reproduction of a Mormon $2.50 gold coin. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

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$5 size
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Round Liberty copy of 1849 1/2 eagle + Miner with top hat hold very large nugget, palm trees behind, 1849 below, "CALIFORNIA" above. Apparently brass, usually seen heavily worn. These are apparently contemporary gambling tokens that were produced in Europe. See "California Counters" by Fauver. Appears to be F-300 (common). Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Round Liberty copy of 1849 1/2 eagle. Unlisted variety, apparently F-410 in copper.

Very attractive reproduction of a Mormon $5 gold coin. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Well executed gilt cast copy of a California model half eagle. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Very attractive reproduction of a Mormon $5 gold coin. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Very attractive reproduction of a Mormon $5 gold coin. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Badly cast copy of NG&N $5, typical 1960s or later junk. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.
Similar quality copies of quite a few of the large denomination California private gold coins exist.

Well done die struck copy of the NG&N $5. Gold plated copper & intended for use in jewelry, according to the accompanying tag. Probably made in 1973. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Finely cast copy of a J.S. Ormsby $5 gold coin.

Die struck copy of ca 1860 JJ Conway $5 gold coin. The original obverse die was used for strike this token. Copper.

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$10 size
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Badly cast copy of Baldwin "Vacquero" $10, typical 1960s or later junk. Apparently copper plated over a light weight white metal (zinc?).
Similar quality copies of quite a few of the large denomination California private gold coins exist.

Copper gambling token. This type was used in San Francisco during the gold rush.

Copper gambling token. This type was used in San Francisco during the gold rush.

Very attractive reproduction of a Mormon $10 gold coin. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Elder medals with a parody of Farran Zerbe's LPE tokens (see state gold tokens). DeLorey 71 in German-Silver, White-metal, and gilt brass shown with 10, 10, and 100 struck respectively. These also exist in gold (2), silver (25), copper (25), and aluminum (200). Apparently DeLorey owns the dies. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

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$20 size
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1851 Baldwin $20. Obverse has $10 style liberty. Both sides badly rendered. Apparently die cast, with seam on edge.

Very attractive reproduction of a Mormon $20 gold coin. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Incredibly common, badly cast bad copy of a Blake & Co $20. Gilt white metal. Shown at 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Nice reproduction of a British Columbia $20 gold coin, somewhat oversized. Apparently gilt white metal (possibly silver or more likely pewter). Shown 1/2 scale of the small coins.

Pretty reproduction of a Kellogg & Co. $20 gold coin. Frequently seen glued into a besel for hanging on a necklace, as shown.

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$50 size
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Detailed variety listing
Various copies and commemoratives that resemble $50 gold slugs.
These tokens are really BIG and so 1/4 of the scale used for the small tokens is used here.

You might also want to visit Michael Werner's illustrated Slug-medal list.