292 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



X. Fifty Dollar pieces— seventy thaler 25 sgr. Pruss. 

 Though this appears to be an enormous value for one 

 single coin, it is seen quite often. These are really pri- 

 vate coins of pure California gold, i. e. only one hundred 

 and sixteen of copper and eight hundred eighty-four 

 parts of gold. These valuable coins are of the size of two- 

 thaler pieces but instead of being round, they are octa- 

 gon-shaped. There is one peculiarity about these " slugs" 

 as Californians call them; the gold is said to be softer 

 than usual, so it often happens that because of wear, the 

 value gradually decreases two, three or more dollars. 

 Nevertheless I should not mind possessing a pocketful. 



