I almost tossed it out as a joke. It was in a box of junk marked 50 cents at an estate sale in Jackson, Mississippi.

The man that originally bought this coin lived in L.A.. The coin container is marked U.S. 1/2 Dollar Gold Piece - Indian Head. 1854 BU. It is not a U.S.Mint coin. California jewelers minted these gold coins and they were acceptable as U.S. Fractional Coinage.1884 GEM *BU GOLD 50 CENT CALIFORNIA JEWELERS PIECE - INDIAN HEAD (THIRTEEN STARS)/ OBV BEAR - 1/2 - CALIFORNIA GOLD (*NOT GRADED)FOR SALE (Serious Offers Only)Terry Chaney tchaney01@comcast.net 601/372-8044