So-Called Dollars








  Home  
 
  By Event  
 
  Part I
HK 1-589		  
 
  Part II
HK 589a-776		  
 
  Part III
HK 777-917		  
 
  Part IV
HK 1000-1033		  
 
  By Year  
 
  New Discoveries  
 
  Contact Us  
 
 

California Gold Discovery Centennial - 1948

Medals issued by California Medalists Society, San Francisco, at request of state Chamber of Commerce; struck by Irvine & Jachens, Daly City, Calif. from dies said cut by Fred Johnson. Total issue, both types, limited to 3000 to 4000 Bronze pieces, 1000 being 24K Gold-plated; mounted in folder, Bronze sold for $1, Gold-plated for $2.50. Obverse of medal depicts Sutter’s Mill in 1848.

This was start of 3-year celebration; included Gold Rush and Statehood Centennials, 1949 and 1950, respectively; both listed separately, Part I.

Gold first discovered Jan. 24, 1848 by John W. Marshall, partner of John A. Sutter, in tail race of sawmill under construction at Coloma on south fork of American River. First gold found sent that year to Smithsonian Institution where it remains today. News of discovery spread rapidly; 1849 Gold Rush ensued.

Centennial celebration began Coloma, Jan. 24, 1948, with pageant and parade; Los Angeles held week-long "Name Day" festivities in August; Admission Day observance, Sacramento, Sept. 9, staged by Native Sons and Daughters of Golden West. Portola trek re-enactment, sponsored by Mission Trails Association and Centennials Commission, left San Diego July, arrived San Francisco 108 days later; festivities culminated there with Portolo Festival, Oct. 17-24.

Governor dedicated plaques in San Jose, Dec. 11, marking site of first meeting of state legislature. (For additional information on Native Sons of Golden West and on Portolo Festivals, see Part I, U. S. S. California Launching—1904 and Portola Festivals—1909 and 1913 respectively; see also Part II, California Admission Day Celebrations—1896 and 1912 respectively).

TYPE I

Obverse: Within sunken center, miner panning gold, log cabin and mountains in background; around Centennial Celebration Discovery of Gold in California 1848-1948
Reverse: Helmeted female, facing l., holds spear in r. hand, while l. hand rests on shield; at lower l., miner with pick; in background, ships sail on bay; bear above all.

HK-496 - Bronze*. Octagonal, size 25 x 25.
HK-497 - Bronze, gold-plated.
* Most Bronze pieces since have been gold-plated.


Image provided by John Dean

TYPE II

Obverse: Similar to Type I in general design, but entirely different die; both miner and cabin are much smaller and there is considerably more terrain; setting sun casts rays to border legend; around Centennial Celebration Discovery of Gold in California 1848-1948
Reverse: Same as reverse of Type I.

HK-498 - Bronze, gold-plated. Octagonal, size 25 x 25.