Expert: Neil S Berman - 1/4/2010

Question
We have we believe to be an original $20 Blake & Co Assayers Gold piece. Could you please take a look at these pictures and let us know if you think its an original. Its been in the family for over 100 years. It was my Grandfathers.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss182/palmerdepot/gold_coin1.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss182/palmerdepot/gold_coin2.jpg

Answer
I'm sorry to say that what you have is a fantasy piece. Blake did not make coins, only bars, so it can not be original. I have seen hundreds of these copies. Your item was made in the 1960s as a promotional piece and the family story that comes with it is confused. Perhaps there was originally a different coin in your family.