Back to Mike Locke's bigger gold token index.

Slug immitations
$50 gold slug sized tokens and medals
Good luck finding a decent holder for any of these, they don't fit in crown size 2.5 x 2.5s.

50 varieties listed, not counting planchet types.

15.432 grains to the gram. This reference information kept here since some prominent slug facsimilie collectors prefer to quote weights in grains.

Nevada City mint was established in May 1975 by R.D (Don) Schmitz. Most of the Nevada City mint medals are still in production, however the 1928 "California Parks & Recreation" reverse was retired early on. Nevada City mint does strike medals to order, and some medals struck for special occasions such as a benifit dinner for the recent opening of the one of the tunnels at the Empire mine museum were produced in small quantities and not available to the public. A number of metals were apparently used over the years, including nickel (copper-nickel?), brass and copper.

Don Schmitz also participates in an annual medal striking ceremony at the Carson City mint.

Page 432 of the August 1913 edition of "The Numismatist" has a short article titled "California Token of 1913" illustrating what appears to be the defect between 85 obverse (seen on several varieties below). The text describes it as paired with a reverse illustrated as lot 1604 in the ?? 1999 Superior Sale of California Facimile Medals.

Copy of real slug in Brass. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA legend changed to SAN FRANCISCO, denomination deleted from legend. Burnie #1, presumably scarce. 23.87 grams (368 grains) 40.8 x 2.2mm

Souvenir medal for "Sutter's Mill" still available at the Empire mine museum as of June 2000. Made at Nevada City Mint. The top one is apparently copper and came in an attractive hard plastic case. The second one is apparently copper-nickel and was scanned in the original Nevada City Mint packaging (poly-film).

Souvenir medal still available at the ranger station in Coloma as of June 2000.
Comes in attractive hard plastic case and priced at $5 for 2. Made at Nevada City Mint.
Empire Mine 1850-1956. Apparently copper.

This is the second State Parks design by Nevada City Mint. The first was made to order with the incorrect date ("the customer is always right"?). See 1928 #1.

Souvenir medal still available at the ranger station in Coloma as of June 2000.
Comes in attractive hard plastic case and priced at $5 for 2. Made at Nevada City Mint.
Old Kentuck Gold Mine. Apparently copper.

The proprietor of the Nevada City Mint told me that this reverse design is called a watch case pattern. He made it using an 1848 vintage Fabergee (sp) lathe.

Souvenir medal still available at the ranger station in Coloma as of June 2000.
Comes in attractive hard plastic case and priced at $5 for 2. Made at Nevada City Mint.
Sutter's Fort. Apparently copper.

Souvenir medal still available at the ranger station in Coloma as of June 2000.
Comes in attractive hard plastic case and priced at $5 for 2. Made at Nevada City Mint.
Mohawk Stamp Mill-the first one is apparently brass, the second one is apparently copper-nickel.

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. The dealer that sold me the first one said that it had been in his case for 20 years. Wells Fargo Building. The first one is apparently toned brass, the second one is apparently copper-nickel.

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. The dealer that sold me this one said that it had been in his case for 20 years. Empire Mine 1850-1956, different reverse from the currently available medal. See also 1979. The first one is apparently copper, the second one is toned copper-nickel.

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. The dealer that sold me this one said that it had been in his case for 20 years. Old Kentuck Mine, different reverse from the currently available medal. The top picture shows a copper colored example, the second picture shows a brass colored example (lovely PL finish) that was purchased directly from Nevada City Mint.

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. The dealer that sold me this one said that it had been in his case for 20 years. Sutters Fort, different reverse from the currently available medal. Apparently copper, this obverse is different from #5 and #16. Note the tree line beneath "SUTTER'S FORT", this one has a rounded tree beneath ER, the others have a pointed tree beneath the right foot of R.

Undated "FIFTY", apparently the same dies as #1, now marked "COPY". Thin, cast but with a dull ring. 13.2 grams (204 grains) 39 x 1.4mm

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. Purchased directly from Nevada City Mint. State Capital, NEVADA CITY MINT reverse. Scanned through Nevada City Mint packaging. The first one is apparently copper, the second one is apparently copper-nickel.

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. Purchased directly from Nevada City Mint. Mariposa Courthouse, NEVADA CITY MINT reverse. Scanned through Nevada City Mint packaging. Apparently copper-nickel. As Don Schmitz told me, this is the first obverse design that he produced.

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. Purchased directly from Nevada City Mint. Kennedy Tailing Wheels, NEVADA CITY MINT reverse. Scanned through Nevada City Mint packaging. Apparently copper-nickel.

Extremely brightly gilt cast copy of #1. The design differs oh-so-slightly.

Souvenir medal by Nevada City Mint. Sutters Fort, different reverse from the currently available medal. Apparently copper-nickel, this obverse of #5 reverse of #10.

Cast medal proclaiming to be a $50 California slug. Probably originally "movie money" but also seen in "western gold" sets. Don't pay a lot for one of these!

Anonymous immitation of a Humbert slug. ANACS certificate for the first one states c1915 vintage. MEMENTO OF FAMOUS CALIFORNIA FIFTY DOLLAR GOLD SLUG, USED BY THE PIONEERS *1850* around rim WE TRUST on ribbon. Design on both sides the same, the first one appears to be cast lead or silver alloy with a gold wash (35.44 grams, 41.2 x 3.3mm). It rings like a bell. This piece is worn, looped and edge damaged. The second one appears to be cast brass with a gold wash and has no wear; it has just been really ugly all of its life. This one does not ring. (29.35 grams 40.2 x 2.1 mm). There is a patch of exposed white metal on the top flat. The third one appears to be gold plated cast brass (or possibly lead) and weighs 31.9grams, 40mm wide, 41mm heigh, 2.5mm thick. It too does not ring.

Official 1950 California State-hood centennial medal, HK505. Reverse blank, supposedly very rare but seen too often to validate that claim. Defect between 85 obverse. 19.92 grams (307 grains) 40.6 x 1.8mm.

Popular "Days of '49" Slug-medal. Same obverse as #7. Similar reverse, but the spear is in line with "Days", the lettering nearly touches the inner circle and the 4 has a blunt corner at the left. 23.66-24.99 grams (365-386 grains) 40.3-40.4 x 2.5-2.6mm.

A different "Days of '49" Slug-medal. Scarcer obverse with no defect between 85 and field above stripes on shield forms a straight line where it meets the stripes. The upper picture shows a piece with medal orientation and no cracks, 26.58 grams (410 grains) 40.7 x 2.5mm. This one has been drilled on the edge and faces at K12 for some sort of mounting. The second one is nicely gilt, heavily cracked, coin orientation. 36.66 grams (565 grains) 41.4 x 3.4mm.

Pretty immitation 1850 slug (Ebay picture).

Yet another 1850 "days of '49" slug. Looks like brass (no gilt), obverse with defect between 85. 22.47 grams (347 grains) 40.4 x 2.3mm

A similar variety with "FIRST ANNUAL STATE MINING CELEBRATION 1931 * MARIPOSA, CALIFORNIA*" around the reverse also exists and is presumably considerably rarer.

Yet another 1850 "days of '49" slug. Same obverse as #3, similar reverse, but spear points to gap between "pioneeR Days", lettering farther from inner circle, and 4 comes to a point at the left. 23.2-24.73 grams (358-382 grains) 40.4 x 2.4 mm

Yet another 1850 "days of '49" slug. Similar to #5, but looped *as made*. The reverse gives the appearance of a cast piece, but the medal rings like a bell and the obverse is proof-like. The obverse differs from any of the other "FIFTY DOLLS" obverse, with fine lines in the shield, a smooth curve where that meets the field, and small arrow heads. Extremely brightly gilt. 30.35grams (468 grains) 40.8 x 2.9 mm.

Yet another 1850 "days of '49" slug. Similar to #6, but no legend. Defect between 85 obverse. Extremely brightly gilt. Rather light and thin at 17.89 grams (276 grains), 40.4 x 1.8mm

Yet another 1850 "days of '49" slug. Similar to #4, but with the more common obverse with a defect between 85 and irregular bottom of field on shield above stripes. Brightly gilt. Rather light and thin at 27.41 grams (423 grains), 40.5 x 2.8mm

1 ounce silver reproduction of Kagin 6/7. Lovely cameo proof, but rather crude die work as often seen on 1 ounce silver pieces. Numbered 1801. COA states that it was minted by "L.M." (Letcher Mint or Lancaster Mint? pre-1995, now Global minting). Smallish 38.9 x 1.69mm

Is that a medal or a hockey puck?! 5 ounce silver reproduction of Kagin 6/7. Lovely cameo proof, but with better die work than #1.

Attractive copy of a 1855 Kellogg round slug, apparently copper and not frequently seen. 25.2 grams (389 grains) 41.8 x 2.5mm

Attractive copy of a 1855 Wass-Molitor round slug, apparently lacquered gilt-brass and not frequently seen. Marked 200 THOUS on the reverse.

Ever popular 1906 Thompson Restaurants commemorative medal.
Fairly common, although challenging to find nice. 37.47 grams (532 grains) 41.3 x 3.3 mm

August 21 28, 1911 Fraternal Order of Eagles slug-medal. Organizational symbol on the front, manufacturer's hallmark and the Great Seal of California on the back.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles has made medals for many of its conventions. This one stands out due to the slug-medal style. Not particularly rare.

1915 PPIE slug medal HK424. This one is marked C.G. BRINKER S.F. 28.43 grams (439 grains), 40.5 x 2.8mm.

1915 PPIE slug medals are also known with IRVINE AND JACHENS on the reverse (both same die, earlier state and with a different reverse with "EXPOSITION SAN FRANCISCO" arranged differently). Also known with the "WE TRUST" obverse and the IRVINE AND JACHENS reverse. IRVINE AND JACHENS are still in business in S.F.

1915 PPIE slug medal HK425. This one is marked COPYRIGHT and is considerably scarcer than the others. The obverse is very similar to 1850 #4 and #7, but is not the same. 21 grams (324 grains) 40.7 x 2.6mm

1970s restrike of a 1915 Coca-Cola slug medal. Curiously, this one came in an original 1915 presentation box. The restrikes are identifiable by the coarse die polish under the word "BOTTLING" on the reverse, and by the post strike burnishing. A rather large 45mm diameter.

Modern replica of a 1915 Panama Pacific slug commemorative. Comes packaged in a capsule in a card in a slip cover marked "A World of Golden Coin Replicas". So bright and reflective that you can see the reflection of the reflection of the image of the medal off of the scanner platten. Reeded edge, with a plain area marking the medal as #926. 42 x 3.1mm, 28.78grams => gilt bronze.

1928 California Parks & Recreation slug medal (Ebay picture).

This was the original state parks design by the Nevada City Mint, produced some time after 1979. The California State Parks officials quickly realized that the state park system is older than 1928 and requested new dies without a date (see No Date #3).

1928 California Parks & Recreation slug medal. This one has the Columbia State Park obverse, which is uncommon. Scanned through Nevada City mint packaging.

1928 California Parks & Recreation slug medal, the Sutter's Fort obverse with a pointed tree beneath the right foot of R. Scanned in the original cardboard holder.

1928 California Parks & Recreation slug medal, with the Empire Mine obverse. Scanned in the original cardboard holder.

California gold discovery Centennial medal, 1948. HK496? apparently brass. 24.61 grams (380 grains) 39.6 x 3.0 mm

California gold discovery Centennial medal, 1948. HK497, the gilt on this one is so bright it blinded my scanner. 25.18 grams (389 grains) 39.7 x 2.8 mm

California gold discovery Centennial medal, 1948. HK498, a different die pairing than the 2 above. Copper? 23.54 grams (363 grains) 39.6 x 2.9 mm.

California gold discovery Centennial medal, 1948. HK498, a different die pairing than the 2 above. Extremely brightly gilt, saturating my scanner. 24.05 grams (? grains) 39.5 x 3.0 mm.

California State Centennial medal, 1950. Lovely multicolor toning, as made?, scans as brown. Obverse with defect between 85. This one is also known to exist gilt. 21.86 grams (337 grains), 40.4 x 2.3 mm.

1954 Mariposa Centennial commemorative. HK704

1964 Montana Centennial. Top picture is bright finish, bottom picture is antique finish.

1964 Montana Centennial, completely different from the one above. Reported as a large 45mm.

1974 CSNA commemorative for the US mint in San Francisco. Silver. 31.41 grams (485 grains) 39.9 x 2.6mm. With a vinyl flip identifying it as #88 of 100.

Also exists in bronze (800 struck) and with bi-centennial legend error (1300 bronze, 260 silver struck). CSNA struck a round $50 slug-medal in 1973 (2300 bronze, 252 silver).

1975 PCNS 60 year commemorative.

Nevada City Mint medal for Empire Mine 1850-1956. The reverse reads "reopening empire mine shaft September 9, 1979". Apparently copper.

1982 PCNS 800th meeting commemorative. Issued in silver (PCNS-18 top) and bronze (PCNS-19 bottom) with 100 and 250 struck respectively.

Silver medal commemorative 60years of bowling in Pittsburg, California for Bob Lewis, one of the owners of Lewis Bros and ex-mayor of Pittsburg. 40 struck in silver, 100 in copper, and 1000 in goldene brass.

Nevada City Mint medal for The Revenue Cutter California (the official California state tall ship). Scanned through original Nevada City Mint packaging. Apparently brass.

1999 PCNS 1000th meeting commemorative. Faran Zerbe on the obverse. Antique bronze and Silver proof shown. 29.22 grams (451 grains) 39.8 x 2.85mm (bronze), 31.04 grams (480 grains) 39.8 x 2.6mm (silver).