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Term Definition
   
Arms of California BG-435's "nickname" due to its unique obverse design
Bear Often found on tokens on the reverse
BG Breen, Walter &  Gillio, Ronald - the original authors of "California Pioneer Fractional Gold" reference book
BG-xxxx Standard variety classification format for CSDGs (where xxxx is a number with or without a suffix, such as BG-209B)
BG-1xx Variety classification for Period-1 octagonal 1/4-dollar CSDGs
BG-2xx Variety classification for Period-1 round 1/4-dollar CSDGs
BG-3xx Variety classification for Period-1 octagonal 1/2-dollar CSDGs
BG-4xx Variety classification for Period-1 round 1/2-dollar CSDGs
BG-5xx Variety classification for Period-1 octagonal 1-dollar CSDGs
BG-6xx Variety classification for Period-1 round 1-dollar CSDGs
BG-7xx Variety classification for Period-2 octagonal 1/4-dollar CSDGs
BG-8xx Variety classification for Period-2 round 1/4-dollar CSDGs
BG-9xx Variety classification for Period-2 octagonal 1/2-dollar CSDGs
BG-10xx Variety classification for Period-2 round 1/2-dollar CSDGs
BG-11xx Variety classification for Period-2 octagonal 1-dollar CSDGs
BG-12xx Variety classification for Period-2 round 1-dollar CSDGs
BG-13xx Variety classification for Period-3 CSDGs  [Note: this group contains both octagonal & round CSDGs of all denominations.]
Cal An affectionate (and informal) short-hand term used by collectors of California Small Denomination Gold. (CSDG)  A Cal always shows the word, "CENT" or "DOLLAR" (or any variation of the word, dollar.)
CGO www.CalGoldOnline.com
CSDG California Small-Denomination Gold
DE Defiant Eagle - an apt name given to BG-220's obverse eagle whose head is cocked with its eye piercing
Fractional A gold or gold-plated coin that shows a denomination value of 1/4-dollar, 1/2-dollar or 1-dollar.  Also known as "California Small-Denomination Gold"
"Gold Miner" One of the subscription categories here at CGO. This subscription allows direct access to both of CGO's two Visual Guides.
Goofy Head Nickname given to BG-789, 867, 936, 1047, 1118 & 1205
Hybrid Cal [As defined here at CGO]   Any token whose obverse die from a Cal is mated with a non-denominated reverse die.
Jay Roe Alias used by Dr. John Rowe, 1924-2000, who had managed to put together the most complete collection of Cals of all time
Mintmark [As defined here at CGO]   1 or more letters of a Cal maker's name found on some Cals.
Octagonal One of two known shapes found on CSDGs: 8 sides.  [See Type.]
Peacock A term given to BG-302, 303, 411 & 413 whose reverse shows an eagle with rays behind, which makes it appear as a peacock
Period 1 From 1852 to 1857 where CSDGs were used as small change
Period 2 From 1858 to 1882 where CSDGs were sold as souvenirs
Period 3 Circa 1906 to present - reproductions (& counterfeits) of CSDG
Round One of two known shapes found on Cals.  [See Type.]
Shield A term for a design found on the reverse of some CSDGls (circa Civil War) that resembles a police badge.
Slug A nickname given to gold $50 octagonal pieces made in California.   It is most likely some CSDG makers adopted the slug's octagonal shape for some of their CSDGs.
SPPN Society of Private and Pioneer Numismatists
Survivor A CSDG that shows up in the present
Token [As defined here at CGO]   Any coin that does not show any variation of the word, "DOLLAR," or "CENT."   [Note this term is used here at CGO to differentiate CSDGs from tokens.]
Type A classification assigned to a CSDG based on its shape (octagonal or round), denomination (1/4-dollar, 1/2-dollar or 1-dollar), and Period it belongs (1, 2 or 3).  Example:  There are twelve different types of CSDGs for Periods 1 & 2.
Visual Guide to Cals One of CGO's two visual guides, where you click on one picture at a time until you arrive at the last picture that would help identify your CSDG at hand.
Visual Guide to Auction Prices CGO's other visual guide, where a line graph is displayed for each grade from MS-67 and down to below AU-53 for a given BG number.
WH Washington Head - found on BG-722, 723, 724 & 818
   

Note:   Letters and words displayed in a green color are those
 that are being defined elsewhere in this glossary.

Got a term you would like to see listed in this Glossary?
Email Ken at:  Ken@calgoldonline.com

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