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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 3000 Bronze pieces, 1000 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, 3 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; 4350 wagons crossed Missouri River by May 18; 75,000 to 100,000 people entered state in 1949.
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 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
Obverse: 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 *
Reverse: Miner’s pan in center of crossed pick and shovel — all raised on countersunk center area; plain wide band around.
HK-500 - Bronze. Size 25.
HK-501 - Bronze, gold-plated.
 
Image provided by John Dean
SACRAMENTO DOLLAR
Issuer, designer, diesinker and striker unknown to authors.
Obverse: Kneeling miner, facing to l., gold washing pan in hands; above, around Souvenir; below, around Days of ‘49.
Reverse: Miner, standing beside burro, both facing to r.; above, around Sacramento; below, around Heart of California
HK-502 - Lead, gold-plated. Size 24.
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