Bidspirit auction | 1880 US 1/2 Gold Round

1880 US 1/2 Gold Round California Token - 1880 United States round California gold 1/2 dollar token. Obverse: small Indian head surrounded by 13 stars. Reverse: ”1/2 CAL GOLD” with in wreathe. Per consigner, many of the tokens dated 1880 or 1881 have counterpart pieces listed in the Breen-Gillio reference book of small denominated California gold. Per Jay Roe, many of the California gold tokens like this one were struck by the same makers in the same years using the same gold alloy made from native California gold bullion and many times using the same obverse dies but feature a non-denominated reverse to avoid being confiscated by Colonel Henry Finnegass who worked for the U.S. Secret Service and attempted to seize all privately minted California gold coins and tokens in 1883, claiming these pieces violated federal government's exclusive right to coin money. Many pieces were given earlier dates. It's not known how many exist, but likely limited quantities. *** Lot 14 Auctions is not a professional numismatic grading agency. Consigner information is provided as a courtesy to our bidders. Please review pictures to determine condition information. ***