So-Called Dollars

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH CENTENNIAL
1949

First medal below issued by California Medalists Society, San Francisco, designer and striking firm unknown; struck also with loop for use by American Numismatic Association as 1949 convention badge. Issue limited to 3,000 Bronze pieces, 1,000 being 24K Gold-plated; sold for $1 and $2.50, respectively. This was part of 3-year celebration starting with Gold Rush Centennial--1948, culminating in Statehood Centennial--1950; both listed separately, Part I.

With start of 1849 Gold Rush, three principal routes were by ship around Cape Horn; by ship to Panama, overland across Isthmus, thence by ship again to San Francisco; finally, by ox-train and prairie schooner across country. Migration was unique in U.S. history; 4,350 wagons crossed Missouri River by May 18; 75,000 to 100,000 people entered state in 1849.

Centennial celebration was statewide; San Jose State College presented fete, June 1-4, "Rose of the Rancho"; there again, Sept. 9-11, Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West commemorated both Admission Day and establishment of that city as state's first capital. Columbia and Monterey staged parades and pageants, July 15-17 and Aug. 30-Sept. 6, respectively, latter observing centennial of first Constitutional Convention. Death Valley paid tribute, Dec. 2-4, to those crossing Valley in 1849; California Historical Society held San Jose ceremony Dec. 10, commemorating first meeting of legislature there Dec. 15, 1849.

GOLD RUSH DOLLAR

Obv. Covered wagon, drawn by oxen, proceeding l.; lead ox touches on relief map of California--all raised on countersunk center area; outside, above around, California Gold Rush Centennial; below * 1849 * 1949 *
Rev. Miner's pan in center of crossed pick and shovel--all raised on countersunk center area; plain wide band around.

HK-500 Bronze. 39mm.
HK-501 Bronze, gold-plated.

SACRAMENTO DOLLAR

Issuer, designer, diesinker and striker unknown to authors.

Obv. Kneeling miner, facing to l., gold washing pan in hands; above, around Souvenir; below, around Days of '49.
Rev. Miner, standing beside burro, both facing to r.; above, around Sacramento; below, around Heart of California