Copyright 2000, 2001, Mike Locke
All rights reserved
Back to Mike Locke's small gold tokens with wreaths (no bear) index.
Wreath #8
"CALI-FORNIA GOLD" in three lines inside of an ornate wreath
In his August 13, 1983 advertisement in Numismatic News, Jay Roe lists the following additional varieties
Detailed descriptions of these pieces are not available. I assume that my listings of the same shape, size,
and date cover the other ones that he listed.
1853 Octagonal 1/4
1852 Round 1/4
12 varieties listed
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Octagonal 1/4 size
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1852 Indian #1, 12 (5+7) stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside.
1852 Indian #2, 13 (6+7) stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside.
1853 Indian #1, 13 (6+7) stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside.
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Round 1/4 size
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1853 Indian #1, 13 (6+7) stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside
1853 Indian #2, 13 (6+7) stars, bust point above star point. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside.
The illustrated tokens was struck from clashed dies.
Two dies states seen, one with pointed leaves on a heavy, thin planchet (i.e. better gold),
the other being the illustrated token with rounded points on the leaves, clashed and lower
grade gold.
1853 Indian #3, 13 (6+7) stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside. Reverse of #1, obverse similar
to #2, but bust point below star point. Photo of token from the David Showers collection.
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Octagonal 1/2 size
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1852 Indian #1, 13 stars around in a neat circle. Head copies "Brand" but not identical.
Wreath with CALI-FORNIA GOLD inside+ Reeded edge.
1852 Indian #2, 12 star (in a circle). Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside.
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Round 1/2 size
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1853 Indian #1, 13 stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside
1853 Indian #2, 13 stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside, yet a different pair of dies
1853 Indian #3, 13 stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside,
obverse of #1, different reverse.
The illustrated piece is a lovely near cameo proof-like with some "old gold" toning.
Struck on a striated planchet, which impedes the mirrors. Still, the scan does not
do this piece justice. Dies rotated slightly.
1853 Indian #4, 13 stars. Wreath with "CALI-FORNIA GOLD" inside. Photo of token from the David Showers
collection.