1854 G50C BG-1321 (Regular Strike)
Obverse & Reverse
The item designated as BG-1321 is not a genuine product of the California Gold Rush era but rather a modern creation, classified within the authoritative Breen-Gillio reference as a counterfeit or token. Its existence is a direct consequence of the immense popularity and romantic allure of the authentic California Fractional Gold pieces. The genuine coins, struck from 1852 to 1882, arose from a critical shortage of small change in the gold fields. Gold dust was impractical for minor transactions, and the U.S. Mint in San Francisco, which opened in 1854, initially focused on larger denominations, failing to alleviate the scarcity of coins for everyday purchases. Private minters, often jewelers in San Francisco, stepped in to fill this void, producing beautifully crafted, albeit often underweight, gold quarter dollars, half dollars, and dollars. These tiny coins circulated out of necessity and became an iconic part of Gold Rush history. Their small size and historical connection made them popular souvenirs even in their own time. This popularity, however, spawned a secondary market of replicas, souvenirs, and outright counterfeits that began appearing as early as the late 19th century and continued well into the 20th. These pieces, often made of gold-plated base metal or low-karat gold, mimicked the designs of genuine fractionals but were intended for sale to tourists and collectors. The BG-1321 is one such piece, featuring a crude imitation of the Liberty Head design and a backdated '1854' to feign historical legitimacy. Numismatists Walter Breen and Ronald J. Gillio cataloged these non-genuine pieces in their reference work to help collectors and dealers differentiate them from the authentic, privately-minted territorial coins. Thus, the BG-1321's story is not of the Gold Rush, but of the enduring legacy and collector demand for Gold Rush history, a demand so strong that it created its own market for imitations.
Associated EventCalifornia Gold Rush (as inspiration)
Reason For MintingTo imitate genuine California Fractional Gold coins for sale to collectors or tourists.
Minter HistoryThe manufacturer of BG-1321 is unknown and anonymous, as is typical for producers of counterfeit or replica coinage. Unlike the documented jewelers and minters of the 1850s-1870s like Antoine Nouizillet or Robert B. Gray & Co., the creators of these tokens operated in later periods and sought to capitalize on the collector market without leaving a historical record.
Historical SignificanceThe BG-1321 has no historical significance as a circulating coin. Its numismatic significance lies in its classification as a counterfeit/token within a major collecting series, serving as an important educational tool for authentication and highlighting the challenges within the field of California small denomination gold.
N/A
Denomination50 Cents (Spurious)
Minting PeriodModern (Post-1880s)
Assayer/MinterUnknown modern manufacturer
Geographic OriginLikely United States
Obverse DescriptionA crude and poorly executed bust of Liberty facing left, with a simple coronet. The design is a caricature of the federal gold coin and genuine fractional designs. Thirteen poorly defined stars encircle the bust.
Obverse Inscription(Thirteen stars arranged around bust)
Reverse DescriptionA wreath of simple design, open at the top, enclosing the denomination. The legend is spaced around the wreath.
Reverse InscriptionCALIFORNIA GOLD / 1/2
CompositionTypically Gold-Plated Brass or low-karat gold
Stated Fineness Actual FinenessVaries; often negligible gold content.
Weight0.25 grams
Diameter10.00 mm
EdgePlain
Unknown
Survival EstimateCommon
Rarity ScaleNot applicable (Common Token/Counterfeit)
The primary appeal of BG-1321 is as a curiosity, a placeholder in a collection, or as part of a specialized collection of counterfeit and replica coinage. It has very little intrinsic or numismatic value compared to genuine issues, but serves as a reference piece for authentication studies.
Key VarietiesAs a modern token, there are no 'key varieties' in the numismatic sense. However, pieces like this were often produced by different manufacturers over many years, so minor variations in strike quality, die details, and plating thickness may exist. They are not considered distinct numismatic varieties. No proof or special collector issues are known or relevant.
Authentication TipsAuthenticity is not the goal, but rather identification as BG-1321. Look for a mushy, indistinct strike, particularly on Liberty's hair and the details of the wreath. The lettering is often improperly spaced and crude. The surfaces may show signs of plating, such as bubbling or peeling, and the color is often a brassy yellow rather than the rich gold of genuine period issues. Any piece with a bear on the reverse is a token. Genuine Period One issues have a much sharper, more professional appearance, even when crudely struck.
Shopping ConsiderationsBuyers should acquire this item for only a nominal price, understanding it is a token or counterfeit. Do not pay a premium based on the '1854' date or its superficial resemblance to a real gold coin. It should be sold and purchased explicitly as a BG-cataloged counterfeit. Often found in bulk lots of replica coins. There is no concept of 'premium quality' for this item; condition is largely irrelevant to its value, which remains minimal even in a high state of preservation.
A coin's grade is its condition, rated on a 1-70 scale. For rare coins, this is the most critical factor in determining value, as a tiny difference in preservation can mean a huge difference in price.
Relevant Grade TypesAs a modern counterfeit or token, the standard grading scale (1-70) is not typically applied with serious financial implications. These pieces are not genuine business strikes from the 1850s. Major grading services will not assign a numeric grade to such items but will instead return them as 'Not Genuine,' 'Counterfeit,' or sometimes encapsulate them for identification purposes only, explicitly stating their non-genuine status (e.g., ICG's 'Counterfeit' holder). There are no original Proofs or later-date restrikes of this item.
Mint State CharacteristicsAn 'uncirculated' example of this token would simply appear new, as it left its modern manufacturer. Luster is typically artificial and brassy from the plating, not the soft, frosty, or cartwheel luster of a genuine gold coin. The strike is characteristically weak and lacking in fine detail, which is an inherent part of its manufacture, not a result of die wear.
Circulated Wear PatternsIf circulated or handled, the high points of the design would wear first. Crucially, on plated examples, this wear would quickly expose the underlying base metal (typically brass or copper), which is a definitive diagnostic of its nature. The plating would wear off first on Liberty's cheek, coronet, and the highest leaves of the wreath.
Key Factors For ValueThe value of a BG-1321 piece is minimal and generally uniform, regardless of condition. Its sole value is as a reference piece or curiosity. There is no premium for 'surface quality' or 'strike sharpness,' as all examples are poorly made by definition. A CAC sticker is not applicable to counterfeit or token coinage.