Back to Mike Locke's small gold tokens with wreaths (no bear) index.

Wreath #10

*Q* or *H* CAL GOLD CHARM inside a simple wreath
Only known with Miner obverse
All are scarce to rare

Probably made on or about the year stated
All appear to be good gold, although Jay Roe says that they are pure gold plate on a 9KT core

Presumably struck by Herman Brand of San Francisco (maker of many of the Period 2 denominated California fractional gold coins, and ex-employee of California Jewelry Co.), on or about the date on the token. The Secret Service seized the dies for the 1883 octagonal H in 1883 and told Brand that he could not make these tokens anymore because they could be confused with gold dollars! Die linked to Brand's denominated gold coins, although all of the linkages are not available on this site.
Jay Roe says "possibly R-7", although most of the varieties appear to be in the R5-R6 range to me. Small hoards exist.

See also Nevada and Oregon gold for tokens with a similar obverse as well as Wreath 5 Round 1/2.

5 varieties listed

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Octagonal 1/4
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1883 Miner #1, with pick.

Jay Roe reports the existance of a second obverse die. The second variety is R8.

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Round 1/4
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1883 Miner #1, with pick.

Jay Roe reports the existance of a second obverse die. The second variety is R8.

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Octagonal 1/2
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1883 Miner #1, with pick. These dies were seized by the Secret Service and this variety is LR7 or so.

1884 Miner #1 with pick.

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Round 1/2
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1883 Miner #1, with pick-axe.