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

Wreath #5

Slender laurel wreath with paired leaves, paired berries, and tie "CALIFORNIA" in arc above wreath. "* GOLD *" in arc beneath wreath. Serifs on letters and numbers. See Wreath 3 for sans-serif logotype.
Date in center.
Refer to Doering D341

The device punch on 1853 Indian head Octagonal Quarter #1 is the same as that seen on 1881 Indian head Octagonal Quarter #1, wreath #7. Wreath #7 has die linkages to California Jewelry Co. This design also has linkages to Herman Kroll, indicating some sort of relationship between these two companies.

When Erico Caruso (the famous tenor) died his extensive coin collection was auctioned off by C&E Canessa in 1923. In a very unusual move, Canessa illustrated every item in the sale. As a result, we are provided with rare early illustrations of "worthless" California gold tokens. Caruso owned several of the token types illustrated here, plus a few that are very similar to those illustrated here. Only the octagonal 1/2 Arms and 1904 LPE tokens sold (see not California), bringing 30 and 60 Italian Lire each, respectively. Either that or all of them sold as a group for 30 Lire each or for all.

In June 1987, the Pacific Coast Auction Galleries offered a selection of California gold token dies. Most of these dies are the Wreath 5 type, and the corresponding varieties have been marked. Included in the sale were the following that I do not currently have illustrated:
round 1/4 Arms of California (round helmet as on 1853 Oct. 1/4 #1, long legged bear as on 1865 oct 1/4 #1)
round 1/4 10 star Indian (similar to 1859 #3 & 4)
round 1/4 13 star Indian (similar to 1858 #2)
octagonal 1/2 Arms of California (spear points to left edge of U, front helmet tip under K)
round 1/2 13 star Indian (similar to 1856 #3, but star 4 below point of nose)

98 varieties listed

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Wreath #5, rusty punch in the old style
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Octagonal 1/4
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Jay Roe reports 4 1853 1/4 octagonal Arms of California tokens from 4 obverses and 2 reverses (4 illustrated).

1853 Arms of California #1, extremely crude as illustrated+, Burnie type 8 No 1?

Enrico Caruso had one of these in the 1923 sale of his collection.

1853 Arms of California #2, much less crude than #1+, Burnie type 9 No 1?

1853 Arms of California #3, reverse of #1. At 0.1mm thick, this is the thinnest token that I have encountered at just barely thicker than a standard sheet of printer paper. Seen in 0.1mm thick and apparently nearly pure gold (illustrated), and also 0.2mm thick with less pure (14K?) gold.

1853 Arms of California #4, reverse of #1.

Jay Roe reports 1 1865 1/4 octagonal Arms of California token. (one illustrated)

1865 Arms of California #1. Obverse die is lot 1786, reverse die is part of lot 1785.

Carefull comparison of these two against Burnie's listings indicates that #1 has the obverse of B8 N1 with the reverse of B9 N1, and vice-versa. #1 seems to be common and #2 scarce or rare. #1 seems to be solid low grade gold and #2 seems to be gilt brass.

1857 Liberty #1, 14 stars, same as 1865 #3. Obverse die is part of lot 1785.

1865 Liberty #1, 10 star apparently the same punch as BG428-430, BG1303-1306. Obverse and reverse dies are in lot 1785. THE PUNCH for this head is lot 1806.
Burnie type 12 No 1?

1865 Liberty #2, 10 star very similar to #1, but head different and star 7 positioned differently, and reverse different.

1865 Liberty #3, 14 star "Doering head". Reverse of #1. Both dies for this variety were in lot 1785.

1853 Indian #1, 16 star same rev as Arms. Appears to be 14K gold

1853 Indian #2, 16 star both dies differ from #1.

1853 Indian #3, 10 star reverse of #1.

1855 Indian #1 (Ebay picture)

1857 Indian #1, 8 star with 10K below

1857 Indian #2, 8 star same reverse as #1.

1857 Indian #3, 13 star same reverse as #1

1857 Indian #4, 16 star

1865 Indian #1, 13 star

1865 Indian #2, 8 stars with B below

1865 Indian #3, 8 stars. Both dies of this variety are in lot 1785.

1865 Indian #4, 15 stars with B beneath. Same reverse as #2.

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Round 1/4
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Jay Roe reports 7 1853 1/4 round Arms of California tokens with 7 obverses and 5 reverses. Note that I have another listed under Wreath3.

Augustus Humbert had one of this type in his collection which was sold in May 1902.

1853 Arms of California #1, splintered spear points to E. E, R, and K multi-punched
same rev as 1853 10 star Indian (many letters multi-punched) Burnie type 9 No 2

1853 Arms of California #2, spear points to R same rev as 1853 10 star Indian, Burnie type 9 No 2

The illustration is lot 1372 from the Canessa sale of the Enrico Caruso collection (1923). The obverse illustration is highly distorted due to the fold in the center of the catalog

1853 Arms of California #3, spear points to R A little like the Caruso coin, but Minerva taller, with head nearly touching A. The artwork is unbelievably crude and barely recognizable. "eurekA" widely repunched.
Same reverse as #1 and #2.

1853 Arms of California #4, spear points to U, head close up under R. Artwork in a somewhat different style than #1-3. Less crude and higher relief. Reverse differs from #1-3.

Jay Roe reports 1859 1/4 round Arms of California token.

1858 Liberty #1, 5 stars "baby head". 5 pointed stars built from 4 point diamonds

1858 Liberty #2, 6 stars same as 1861 #2. Same reverse as 1858 Indian #1. Apparently solid 14-18K gold. The obverse die is lot 1790, the reverse die is lot 1789.

1858 Liberty #3, 13 stars "apple cheek" unlike any others. Photo of token from the David Showers collection.

1861 Liberty #1, 6 stars "Doering head" 5 pointed hollow stars, the star over the head points at the head. Extremely thin gilt over bronze or copper. The obverse is lot 1791, the reverse is part of lot 1787.

1861 Liberty #2, 6 stars "Doering head". 5 pointed hollow stars, the star over the head points at the rim. Extremely thin gilt over bronze or copper. The obverse is lot 1790, the reverse is part of lot 1787.

1853 Indian #1, 10 stars Burnie Type 2 No 2 +

1853 Indian #2, 13 stars same reverse as #1. Seen with obverse "perfect" and reverse rusty, and also with obverse cracked & both dies polished and cameo proof like (shown, note the remaining rust above the C in CALIFORNIA).

1856 Indian #1, 12 stars head as seen on Wreath8 tokens.

1857 Indian #1, 12 star (delisted as incorrectly read date)

1858 Indian #1, 9 stars. The reverse is part of lot 1787.

1858 Indian #2, 13 stars.
The illustrated token appears to be in an original Kenny Lee sales holder.

1858 Indian #3, 9 stars. Apparently the obverse of #1 in an early die state. Older style reverse.

1858 Indian #4, 9 stars. Similar to #1 & 3 but star positions differ. Same reverse as #3.

1858 Indian #5, 9 stars obverse of #1, different reverse. The disruption of the obverse rim at K7 and the reverse at K10 come from this token having been struck on an incompletely clipped planchet.

1858 Indian #6, 13 stars very similar to #2, but both dies differ.

1858 Indian #7, 13 stars similar to #2 & 6, but apparently both dies differ. Note the extra feather tips at the right.

1859 Indian #1, 9 stars with 10K below

1859 Indian #2, 11 stars with B below. Same reverse as token above.
Not in Burnie. The illustrated token has a prominent and sharp wire rim which give the effect in the scan that edge has been filed.

1859 Indian #3, 12 stars.

1859 Indian #4, 12 stars. Very similar to #3, but denticles broader, star one completely in front of the bust truncation and parts of star 2 extend above mouth.

1859 Indian #5, 10 stars. Very similar to #2, but one star almost up the Indian's nose!

1861 Indian #1, 9 stars obverse of 1858 #1. Nice PL piece that wreaks havoc with my scanner. The reverese die is part of log 1787.

1861 Indian #2, 11 stars with B beneath, same as 1859 #2. Same reverse as #1. This reverse die is part of lot 1787

1861 Indian #3, 9 stars. Both dies appear in lot 1787.

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Octagonal 1/2
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Jay Roe reports 7! 1857 Octagonal Arms of California tokens, struck from 4 obverses and 6 reverses. Since I've got 3 varieties listed with 3 obverses and 1 reverse, at least one of my listings must be missing from Jay Roe's.

1857 Arms of California #1, spear points to E. Known with and without the obverse cud.

1857 Arms of California #2, spear points to U +

1857 Arms of California #3, spear points to U, NO BEAR, crude outline style like 1/4 size octagon #1. One of this variety appeared as lot 1371 of the Canessa sale of the Enrico Caruso collection, 1923.

1857 Liberty #1, 16 stars. "COLD" same rev as 16 star 1857 Indian +

1857 Liberty #2, 14 stars. "COLD" rev as on 16 star 1857 Indian. This token seen in solid 14K+ gold (illustrated) and also in gilt brass. Apparently from the dies of lots 1797 (obverse) and 1794 (reverse).

1857 Liberty #3, 14 stars, Kroll style head. "COLD" rev as on 16 star 1857 Indian

Jay Roe notes the existance of 1852 and 1854 octagonal 1/2 Indian head tokens of this type in "Numismatic News" Mar 8, 1988.

1856 Indian #1, large head 10 stars.

1857 Indian #1 16 stars. "COLD" reverse. Apparently the dies from lots 1796 (obv) and 1794 (rev).

1857 Indian #2, 12 stars. stars look like flowers+ 3 stars each side of wreath "GOLD" Burnie Type 6 No 5

1857 Indian #3, 16 stars, large Brand style head.

1857 Indian #4, B under head, 13 stars Burnie Type 7 No 1

1857 Indian #5, 13 stars. Apparently 10-14K gold. Both dies of lot 1794.

1857 Indian #6, 13 stars. Looks much better than it scans.

1857 Indian #7, 13 stars

1857 Indian #8, 13 stars, style unlike any other. Photo of token from the David Showers collection.

1857 Indian #9, 10 stars. Same obverse and 1856 #1

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Round 1/2
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Jay Roe reports 4 1853 1/2 round Arms of California tokens from 4 obverses and a common reverse.

Augustus Humbert had one of this type in his collection which was sold in May 1902.

1853 Arms of California #1, spear points to U+ All lettering is inside wreath

Jay Roe reports that this reverse is known muled with the 1883 Round Miner obverse of Wreath10

1853 Arms of California #2, spear points to E. All lettering is inside wreath (same reverse as #1)

1853 Arms of California #3 spear points to E, E widely double cut, bear lying down. All lettering is inside wreath (same reverse as #1). The illustrated piece is lacquered.

Jay Roe reports 1 1854 1/2 round Arms of California token. There are two illustrated here, so one of these was unknown to Jay Roe.

1854 Arms of California #1 spear points to U+ All lettering is inside wreath, most letters & numbers boldly repunched, F is triple punched
Dot instead of star at left, star and right is a tiny blob (multi-punched dot?)

Enrico Caruso had one in his collection that sold in 1923

1854 Arms of California #2 spear points to E. Obverse of 1853 Arms #3, reverse of 1854 Arms #1.

Jay Roe reports one 1855 1/2 round Arms of California token (one illustrated).

1855 Arms of California #1, same obverse as 1858 #1. Photo of token from the David Showers collection.

Jay Roe reports one 1856 1/2 round Arms of California token (one illustrated).

1856 Arms of California #1, same obverse as 1858 #1.

1858 Arms of California #1, same obverse as 1855 #1. Reverse of D341 before rework. Not listed by Roe. Obverse die of lot 1798.

1855 Liberty #1 13 stars. ***OBVERSE OF BG1305***

1855 Liberty #2, 13 stars. Obv of next, rev of last

1856 Liberty #1, 13 stars. Obv of D341.
Tip of coronet slightly closer to 5th star than to 6th star but nearly equi-spaced. Possibly dies of lots 1799 and 1804; because it is so similar it is possible that the obverse die lot 1799 is the next variety.

1856 Liberty #2, 13 stars.
Good luck distinguishing these two they are very nearly identical.
#1 has 1.0mm nose tip to nearest star, #2 has 0.8mm nose tip to nearest star.
Tip of coronet closer to 6th star than to 5th star
#1 has medal orientation, #2 has coin orientation.

1856 Liberty #3, 13 stars. Reverse of 1856 Liberty #2, obverse of 1858 Liberty #2. Obverse die from lot 1800, reverse die from lot 1804

1858 Liberty #1, 13 stars. Obv of D341 (1856 #2). Reverse of D341 before rework.+ Burnie Type 10 No 8.

1858 Liberty #2, 13 stars. Obv like D341 but most stars point towards rim. Exact reverse of D341+

1858 Liberty #3, 13 stars, obverse of BG1305. Reverse similar to #1, but positionally different.

1858 Liberty #4, 13 stars, obverse of 1856 #1. Reverse of Liberty #1.

Jay Roe notes the existance of 1853 round 1/2 Indian head tokens with a B (not over a star) of this type in "Numismatic News" Mar 8, 1988.

1853 Indian #1, 12 stars, obverse stars look like flowers. Same "fat head" device seen with wreath #1, dated 1875 etc
The first illustration shows a late die state with a die break joining the noise and upper lip. The second picture shows an early die state

1853 Indian #2, 13 stars, 10K below
Reverse is an earlier die state of variety #1 of the token above

1853 Indian #3, 12 stars, bottom star apparently punched over B.
Reverse of 1853 Indian #1.

1853 Indian #4, 12 stars, similar in style to the wreath4 pieces. Reverse very similar to 1853 Arms of California #1, but no berry over the first A, no X in bow ribbons. Obverse heavily cracked, reverse delaminated.

1854 Indian #1, 12 stars, similar in style to the wreath4 pieces. Reverse of 1854 Arms tokens #1 & #2. Photo of token from the David Showers collection.

1855 Indian #1, 13 stars.

1855 Indian #2, 13 stars. Nicely gilt.

1855 Indian #3, 13 stars. 10K gold or so.

1855 Indian #4, 12 stars.

1856 Indian #1, 13 stars. Same obverse as 1858 Indian #1. Previously listed as a 1/4
Kenny Lee holder?

1856 Indian #2, 13 stars. Blunt truncation, star 1 widely double cut. 1st feather points to a star. Reverse die of lot 1805.

1856 Indian #3, 13 stars reverse of #1. Blunt truncation, second feather points to a star. Obverse die lot 1801, reverse die lot 1804

1856 Indian #4, 13 stars very similar to #3 but 1st & 3rd feathers each point just to right of a star. Reverse of #3. Obverse die lot 1803, reverse die lot 1804

1857 Indian #1, B under head, 13 stars Burnie Type 7 No 2 (delisted, this was a round 1/4)

1857 Indian #2, 18 stars. Head like that on Wreath 8 varieties, unusual wreath style.

1858 Indian #1, obverse die severely over polished with much detail in the center gone. First feature touches a star.

1858 Indian #2, "COLD" reverse

1858 Indian #3, obverse similar to #1 but first feather away from star, same reverse as #1, now rusty