hunted out site gives up gold ????

for general info i have been using a dfx for about two years and have found some amazing things., but as most things go i thougt i should be getting things a little deeper. i went to the brands forum and ask for settings that may go deeper. i received a program to try. went to a site that ive hunted alot and tried the program on sat. for about two hours. dug up a colonial button and an 1864 i.h and a harness buckle. went back sunday and found a civil war button a very nice large cent 1846 at about 15 inches and the next thing i dug toke my breath it was a 1857 california 1/4 gold piece WOW. i called a friend and told him what it was and when i said it had a bear on it he said it might be counterfiet i will post pictures tomorrow maybe some one can help. i am happy no matter what, it,s nat everyday you dig gold . thanks

wow sounds like a good hunt    can't wait to see the pics...MR TUFF

If you can get pictures, it would be on the banner!

HH
-GC

How deep was the California gold piece?  Probably should send it in to one of the grading/conserving companies, unless
someone gives you a reason not to.
Am looking forward to seeing those pics.   Good luck on having unearthed a really rare coin.

Sorry about the pictures....having problems with the camera.

Thanks.

more pics.

more coins.

Sweet...

  What an awesome find.    I gotta check out that program for my DFX.  I vote BANNER.    Congratulations;  HH poppy

Nice Finds, Still Trying to find a 1/4
California Like it

the gold piece was about 9 inches deep. after i got it out of the ground i set the old program back on my dfx just to see the diff. the old program could bairly pic up the coin on top of the ground at 4-5 inches the other program picked it up on top of the ground at almost 11 inches.

wow !!! beautiful

Could be an Old token

Or could Be real at that Depth.

Here are a Few Similar 1/2 's

& One Real.

The hair looks more like
the Fakes But the Nose Dosn't

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&...d=m38&_nkw=1857+California+Gold

Either Way Very Cool Find.
I'd be Happy with !

Sweet gold coin!

Can you Get a reputable Dealer to look at it ?

yes i plan on taking it this week end to a dealer just for the piece of mind, and i will let everyone know.

also i forgot to say that on my dfx the numbers came up as 11 on the i.d. that is the same thing as alum. foil and also gold rings. i probably would not have dug if it was not so deep. but where i was hunting has been good to me in the past thanks again for all the help

Great finds. As I remember, the tokens with the bear are supposed to be replicas. However, being that you found it with the other older coins and at around the same depth I am questioning my memory or if the info is correct. Can't wait to hear what you find out. Hope it is the real deal for you. 

From the coin auctions I have been to, I would bet you have a real one.  Could you send the DFX program out to the rest of us.    Quite honestly, unless I was relic hunting , I would not have dug an 11 on my DFX.  However whenever I start finding old coins, I reset and dig all signals.  I probably have the largest pull tab collection West of the Mississippi.

Sweeeet! I'd love to know what that program is? Would you PM it?

Brian

Messick, you guys simply amaze me at the stuff you have found.  Checking this site http://www.calgoldonline.com/eureka...ex.php?main_page=index&cPath=70 is starting to look like it might not be an actual California Gold coin, but likely a token.  It still may be gold though, I'm still researching.  Here's a quote from that site.

Caveat emptor.  Let the buyer beware.

Whenever you find yourself dealing with little gold pieces, keep in mind this one simple rule:

If the coin does not show the word, "CENTS" or "DOLLAR," (or any abbreviation of that word), the piece is not a California Small-Denominated Gold (CSDG) or Cals for short.

In this section, you will find tokens that do not meet the above "rule."  Also, here you will find some pieces that are classified under "Alaska Gold."

Ok, update Messick, and good news.    Yours is 14k or better gold.  Scroll down on this site to 1857Liberty#1 and have a look. http://www.calgoldcoin.com/bear2a.htm It is a token, but it is real gold, that is why it looks like plating is not coming off.



1857 Liberty #1, mouth points to leaves, solidus points to A. Solid 14K or better gold, unlike most of these.

That coin is AWESOME!

I Can't wait to find gold, I don't care if it's coinage, earings, fillings...I WANT GOLD!!!

~Tom

Great finds there congrats.

Just amazing!
Congrats!

BTW the (Pro Gold) program is found:
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,275218.0.html

It was called Pro gold even before he found that token.

Awesome Banner Token Messick81   and great ID 72cheyenne  

Great find!  Congrats on the banner!

That is really a nice piece of gold and a nice piece of history. Congrats on the banner and your find. TMAN...

Just Amazing!!!!!! keep us informed on your great find!

Congrats on your banner find! Very cool token........WTG!! 

HH,
Moon

Congrats Messick81 that is a great day in the field and put a smile on anybody.

Very nice Banner find! Congrats  !

Messick,
Great find...congrats.  Now can you PM me the program you were using..lol. (I'm only half kidding...I'll try anything...okay almost anything)
NJ

 i would like to thank everyone for all the nice comments and the banner votes. it,s almost over wellming to have somthing on the banner.  also for everyone that wants the program for there dfx its on the link up the page. it realy works very well it,s just a little different to get use to. the sound is completly different than the pre-set programs in the dfx. thanks again and i will get it looked at by this week end

that is  awesome !!!!

WOW AWESOME FIND

 

Weldone on making the BANNER well deserved

SS

Congratulations on the banner!! Awesome find(s)!! 

Congrats on your banner.  After reading your post, I had no doubt this coin  is real.  There is no way any other type of alloy would come out of the ground looking like that unless it was dropped yesterday.  It seems to me that the magic number for small gold is in the +9 to +11 range on the DFX.  Your post confirms this.  As far as the depth, my guess is that it was not as deep as the DFX readout said.  A coin of that size will usually give a much deeper reading than the actual depth.

I will check out your post in the DFX forum to see how my programs compare.  If it is radically different than mine, can I add it to my excel spreadsheet of contributed DFX programs that I share with other DFX owners?  Thanks, and Congratulations!

I will check out your post in the DFX forum to see how my programs compare.  If it is radically different than mine, can I add it to my excel spreadsheet of contributed DFX programs that I share with other DFX owners?  Thanks, and Congratulations!

Sure go ahead.
It's already on DFXonly and has been on there for a while.

nice one great looking coin.

awesome find

Way to go great find. It looks good up there on the banner. Lets go find a jar full!!

Well Don in SJ brought something to my attention that makes me see this more impressive of a find  but no one else has pointed out yet or noticed from the pictures of the Cali Gold Coin

Very super cool find if indeed real and Im sure the gold content is real,as for the piece being real Cali Gold or token or whatever its very cool to find and what is more cool Don in SJ will let you all in on because I see what he also pointed out to me about the piece

Mee thinks something is really different about this token!  I do not think it is a normal one, neither real or fake, I dont know, but it does not match any on the Calif token website and somehow I am shocked I missed this but also no one else out of the many who have viewed this post has spoken out.

Look at the reverse side (the Bear side)   I was looking at the banner photo of it and all I could see was a lady and not the 1/4 showing.  I thought  perhaps optical  illusion. I downloaded the photo and played with it, nope, it is there!  I asked several friends including Brian, and all but one saw it, cough cough, won't name one who did not see it.   Anyway, I strongly suggest the finder send the photos to the website owner of the Calif token  website that is mention in one of the earlier posts and ask for his opinion.  Something is not right with that token.........

Don

Congrats on the Banner...

Also wanted mention I dont think this is an Obverse Impression either at all,not even a close match in the Bust outlines,so as suggested contact a pro,or someone with background on the possiblities.

Love th gold. Thanks for sharing it with us. Congradulations on the banner..

Holy crap Don, I was so busy looking at what was supposed to be there I totally missed the portrait of the lady on the reverse also.  I guess thats what you was checking to see if I saw in the PM.  Duh.     Anyhow, new variety?  I think this definately need to be brought to the Cali Gold coin guys attention.  Nice. 

Holy crap Don, I was so busy looking at what was supposed to be there I totally missed the portrait of the lady on the reverse also.  I guess thats what you was checking to see if I saw in the PM.  Duh.     Anyhow, new variety?  I think this definately need to be brought to the Cali Gold coin guys attention.  Nice. 

As plain as the nose on her face...I can't believe I missed this one!

I emailed the photos of this token to one of the members of the calgoldonline forums. This gentleman seems to be an expert in this area. He told me it did not appear to be a authentic token. Now taking what he said with a grain of salt... I suggest you have it looked at by someone who knows these coins. If infact it is real...(I personally think it is)....It may be quite valuable. I also recall another member finding one of these a while back. It made the cover of the best finds issue for WE&T. Sweet little token!

I will not go into detail but all of these coins and relics that i have found have came out of Delaware. i will tell everyone that if your not hunting open fields you are missing the boat.

Good eye Don and still a neat token 

If you can get pictures, it would be on the banner!

HH
-GC

I'll Mimic the wolverine

Awesome gold great find!

Great observation Don and great computer imaging also.  You've given the finder some truly valuable information!

Mee thinks something is really different about this token!  I do not think it is a normal one, neither real or fake, I dont know, but it does not match any on the Calif token website and somehow I am shocked I missed this but also no one else out of the many who have viewed this post has spoken out.

Look at the reverse side (the Bear side)   I was looking at the banner photo of it and all I could see was a lady and not the 1/4 showing.  I thought  perhaps optical  illusion. I downloaded the photo and played with it, nope, it is there!  I asked several friends including Brian, and all but one saw it, cough cough, won't name one who did not see it.   Anyway, I strongly suggest the finder send the photos to the website owner of the Calif token  website that is mention in one of the earlier posts and ask for his opinion.  Something is not right with that token.........

Don

Don....do you know how these Tokens are made are they struck or made from a milling process sometimes we get Hammered coins that look like this, were the coin has been over struck just a thought also the females face would be facing that way, through a over strike

SS

Don i couldnt believe what i saw once you pointed it out. my self and a friend thaught there was somthing different but could not figure it out. that is unreal. now i realy don,t know what to do next, but thanks for taking the guess work out of it. you have a very good eye.

I hope that it's the real deal, but if it were mine I'd definitely get it checked.  There are other obvious differences between the two tokens other than the bust that shows through on the reverse.  Note the distances between the 4 of 1/4 and the bear's back on the two tokens.  Also the distances between the dates and the bust on the two photos.  Either way, it's a cool find.

Kindest regards,
Kantuck

I have been trying to find out if it is an incused side, showing the parts of the Lady Liberty on the Obverse  side, but I just don't think things match but not sure, do have a few feelers out trying to get an answer on what happened. The most logical would be it is the Lady Liberty showing in reverse with a thin planchet being struck, but like I just said, not sure it is the same figure, if only parts of the Obverse bust showed, possibly it could look like that but I have asked for help from a few experts, hope to hear back from them.

There are many differences between the one that was said to match yours, I have still not found a match for it, so it could be a completely different version of one, whether real or not, I have no idea, cannot tell from photos.

I again strongly suggest you send the photos to the owner of that Calif token website, I am sure he will give or get a correct answer for you, including the what happened to the Reverse side..   Mike Locke (lockem@calgoldcoin.com)

Very interested to see what he has to say about the coin.   I have yet to see a Bear coin posted that turned out to be gold, so do not be surprised if he says it is not, but I hope it is, but even if it is not, with that inclused imaged, I would think even a brass or gold plated one would interest collectors....

Don

Something I have noticed is that there is a external line around the beaded edge on the CA website coin & on the Obv of the posters coin but its not present on the reverse

I have been trying to find out if it is an inclused side, showing the parts of the Lady Liberty on the Obverse  side, but I just don't think things match but not sure, do have a few feelers out trying to get an answer on what happened. The most logical would be it is the Lady Liberty showing in reverse with a thin planchet being struck, but like I just said, not sure it is the same figure, if only parts of the Obverse bust showed, possibly it could look like that but I have asked for help from a few experts, hope to hear back from them.

There are many differences between the one that was said to match yours, I have still not found a match for it, so it could be a completely different version of one, whether real or not, I have no idea, cannot tell from photos.

I again strongly suggest you send the photos to the owner of that Calif token website, I am sure he will give or get a correct answer for you, including the what happened to the Reverse side..   Mike Locke (lockem@calgoldcoin.com)

Very interested to see what he has to say about the coin.   I have yet to see a Bear coin posted that turned out to be gold, so do not be surprised if he says it is not, but I hope it is, but even if it is not, with that inclused imaged, I would think even a brass or gold plated one would interest collectors....

Don

Good imfo Don

http://reviews.ebay.com/California-...s-Tokens_W0QQugidZ10000000002420368

SS

Don i took your advice and e mailed mike . can,t wait to get his response

Fantastic! Congrats on banner!

Good Luck either way its a great find ! Mark

Well folks i think we have solved the mystery of the face. I mean my friends Jeff and Elaine from O.C. MD. they suggest that it was struck a little hard from the back of the coin leaving a indentation. so i got the coin out and looked under magnification and it is indented from the back. what about that possibility

Fantastic find. 

sweet find for sure

Great find for sure -
The excitement at the moment of finding it will stay with you forever regardless if it is real or not real.
I have no opinion either way since I have never seen one before but here's some thoughts.

Possibly the photography makes things look slightly different, or maybe they actually are different - only you can tell. In addition to the raised edge around the beaded edge as mentioned above, what I noticed is the letter style or font for the numerals (1/4) seems slightly different on the serifs of the numbers. One token has slightly rounded, curved serifs and the other token shown in comparison above seems to have serifs that are more straight and almost squared off. The leaf pattern at each side of the bear does not seem identical comparing one token to the other.

Continued good hunting to you - keep us posted if you get any additional details!

Question I Have,
are Both sides Identical in Color ?

Obverse Looks Bronze or Copper
Reverse looks High Grade gold (18K or higher)
I'm taking for Granted it's the Lighting,
But it's been Bothering me from the
Beginning  

What's it's Thickness,
I Don't remember that being asked.
But since it is representing a 25 Cent Fractional
I would think Thinner then a dime.

Of course Since I Believe I'm right at it being
a Token or Jewelry Piece, It could be Thicker.

A Jewelry Piece could also Explain The Ghost of the
Obverse Showing Through.

Well folks i think we have solved the mystery of the face. I mean my friends Jeff and Elaine from O.C. MD. they suggest that it was struck a little hard from the back of the coin leaving a indentation. so i got the coin out and looked under magnification and it is indented from the back. what about that possibility

I am still sticking to my original guess, that a coin that comes out of the ground looking like that found at a site with large cents and colonial buttons is most likely the real deal. 

What you said in your last reply supports what Don already suggested;  This "incuse" sunken image is known as a brockage error.  My guess it this is a rare error, but I am no expert.
Congratualtions!!!

Well folks i think we have solved the mystery of the face. I mean my friends Jeff and Elaine from O.C. MD. they suggest that it was struck a little hard from the back of the coin leaving a indentation. so i got the coin out and looked under magnification and it is indented from the back. what about that possibility

I am still sticking to my original guess, that a coin that comes out of the ground looking like that found at a site with large cents and colonial buttons is most likely the real deal.  

What you said in your last reply supports what Don already suggested;  This "incuse" sunken image is known as a brockage error.  My guess it this is a rare error, but I am no expert.
Congratualtions!!!

Correct me if I'm wrong,
but I think california fractionals were Hand Made ?
Meaning Errors would Be Plentifull

& I Agree Only Good Gold
Holds up that well underground

Not sure, but since it is so small, if I had found it I would be doing a Specific Gravity test,  having an accurate digital scale and beaker of distilled water and some thread and have at it.  But the test is very sensitive and not quite sure if something that small would show enough differences in the SG to make a positive identification, but I would be trying.

I hope Mike from Calif responds to the email sent, I am still awaiting an opinion from acouple others I contacted, no reply yet.


Don

I have to admit I jumped the gun a little and I hope that I haven't produced to much misleading info by finding the link to the similar token without looking at the finer details, especially the faint bust right on the reverse.  I still believe though that this is an authentic piece considering its appearance and how, where, and what it was found with.  Messick has made some pretty incredible finds, including gold, from his sites.  Wouldn't you be able to test this pieces' gold quality with an electronic gold tester, or will the testers read even if the piece is gold plated?  Just wondering.  Still a great find that I really like seeing up on the banner!

OK here is what mike said.  He is pretty certain that i found a california gold souvenir token of the type made on the 1920,s-1930,s. it has no resemblance to any piece that was made in the 1850,s,so it is not a fake or a restrike. it is just a token that was made from a new desighn circa 1930. The outline on the back could be a clash mark[the obverse die smacked the reverse die with no blank between, this causes the out line of one die to show on the other die.

Thats a one of a kind token right there! Big congrats on the find & making banner!

TO JEFF of PA  sorry i forgot to answer your question about the color. yes they are the same color on both sides i think it was just the lighting.

I knew I had seen one of these before. Here is a link to another one bearing many similarities.  If I recall correctly this one is authentic.

OK here is what mike said.  He is pretty certain that i found a california gold souvenir token of the type made on the 1920,s-1930,s. it has no resemblance to any piece that was made in the 1850,s,so it is not a fake or a restrike. it is just a token that was made from a new desighn circa 1930. The outline on the back could be a clash mark[the obverse die smacked the reverse die with no blank between, this causes the out line of one die to show on the other die.

Hmmm.  I have seen very few items that have been buried for that length come out of the ground looking like that unless they were gold.  Brass, and even gold plating typically is discolored and corroded if it has been buried for a long time.  I am still hopeful for you!

That's an awesome find!! Two coins I still need, gold and a large cent.

Nothing like california gold. WTG on making the headlines

Very nice gold coin!!!

The man from california gold said he would check his collection and if he did not have one like that he would like to purchase it. after checking he got back to me and made an offer., but i declined. he said normaly a token like this brings about 20 bucks, but he offered quite a bit more.

The man from california gold said he would check his collection and if he did not have one like that he would like to purchase it. after checking he got back to me and made an offer., but i declined. he said normaly a token like this brings about 20 bucks, but he offered quite a bit more.

I still think it is gold. 

That is the coolest coin I have ever seen dug why sell it.

Have a club metting tonight get to show off my coin. i still can,t belive i found one.

If I found that amazing coin, I'd be running every lead to earth before ever thinking of selling it.
I think it's worth several months' research with all experts on California gold.

Fantastic!

can some one tell me where i can get this coin certified, and about what is the going rate for certification.

 

Wow.  Can't believe I missed this post.  Since it's already bumped, thought I'd chime in with some info that may be helpful.  Messick, don't know if you've identified your coin yet, but my buddy Bootstrap Vinn found a vaguely similar CA gold piece a couple of years back.  Rich of Central PA contributed some great information.  Here's a link to Bootstraps post....Scroll down for Rich's reply.   If you still have no I.D., maybe shoot him a PM.

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,88390.html

Great Find!

MP