Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Coin

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/25/2010


Question
I also have a coin with United States of America CAL. with J.S.O. and 5 Dolls on the reverse side.  The coin is black with gold lettering.  Is it worth anything or just a copy of an old gold coin?

Answer
Hi Diane:

Thanks for another of your questions.

Private coinage of gold coins acceptable as legal tender was common in the early United States, especially during the early gold-rush days in the West. John S. Ormsby, M.D., was one of the first to mint gold coins in the pioneer West. Today, his coins are eagerly sought by the numismatic fraternity. Yours is likely a replica or copy.

See Links: http://www.reisbord.com/goldrusassayers.htm or http://www.coinfacts.com/pioneer_gold/j_s_ormsby/j_s_ormsby_gold_coins.html

You may want to check eBay listings in the California gold category or exonumia (tokens) under coins and currency from time to time to see if items like yours are listed and what they are going for.

If real it is valuable and should be sent to (ANACS, PCGS or NGC) a third party grading and certification service.  If you still think it is authentic and need help finding a qualified coin person in your area feel free to a follow-up question back for the information.

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.

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.