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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Parsons 1860?
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Question
My dad had a rectangular ingot. Smooth edges except 3 bumps at the right.
Front: PARSONS&Co/Assayers/Col/1860/TWENTY DOLS
Back, left: CARAT / 18 1/2
Back right: DWT / 25 6/10
I saw online that someone made these in the late 20th c. as a promo. Is that likely what the metal is?
Thanks for any help you can give. My mother insists it is a "gold coin," which seems unlikely.
Hello Ellen:
Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question.
This sounds like a replica piece. If you send an image in a follow-up question, I'll add to my answer if required. There are many re-productions. Many of these coins and bars have been replicated over time and the history of some original bars and ingots have been argued about between experts.
Here are some sites on pioneer gold. It has references mentioned you can look for. Like "Private Gold of the United States" by Donald H. Kagin
http://www.coinfacts.com/pioneer_gold/parsons_co/parsons_co_gold_coins.htm
Below is a site you should get an answer back from. Mr. Kagin is one of the best people in the field and has competent folks working for him.
Please send as much information and any images concerning your piece you have when you get in touch with them.
http://www.kagins.com/
If it is valuable they can advise you on where it can be further authenticated.
Hope this helps. Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.
Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.
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| Comment | This was about the same info I gleaned by Googling, except for recommending an expert to send a photo to. So I'm not really farther along. But thanks for speed of reply. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Ronald Fern
Expertise
I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.
Experience
Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.
Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG
Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News
Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964
BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968
Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.
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