The Department of General Services shall cause to be designed a series of commemorative gold medallions in not less than 1 troy ounce, 0.5 troy ounce, 0.25 troy ounce, and 0.1 troy ounce sizes of .999 fine gold. As used in this chapter, a “medallion” shall also be known, and may be referred to, as a “gold piece.”
Chapter 25Commemorative “California Gold” Medallions
Section § 7551
This law requires the Department of General Services to create a series of commemorative gold medallions, also called gold pieces. These medallions will come in four specific sizes, ranging from 0.1 to 1 troy ounce, and are made of .999 fine gold.
commemorative gold medallions Department of General Services gold pieces troy ounce 0.999 fine gold gold medallion sizes 1 troy ounce 0.5 troy ounce 0.25 troy ounce 0.1 troy ounce medallion design gold coin fine gold California medallions commemorative coins
Section § 7552
This law outlines how a medallion associated with the State of California should be designed and produced. The front must show the Great Seal of California, and the reverse side should include the words 'California Gold', a state emblem, the date, a mint mark, the medallion's size, '.999 fine', and 31 small stars. It should have reeded edges with specific measurements and must not resemble any U.S. or foreign coins in design and size. The mint producing these medallions needs approval from the Department of General Services for any new designs. If the department doesn't respond within 14 days to a request for a new design, it is automatically approved.
Each medallion shall bear:
(a)CA Government Code § 7552(a) On one side, the Great Seal of the State of California.
(b)CA Government Code § 7552(b) On the reverse side; (1) across the top, the term “California Gold;” (2) in the center, any emblem of the State of California; (3) on the lower middle right side, the date; (4) on the lower middle left side, the mint mark of the certified registered mint with which the Department of General Services has contracted; (5) on the bottom left side, the size of the medallion; (6) along the bottom right side, the term “.999 fine;” and (7) along the entire outer edge, thirty-one (31) small stars.
The medallion shall have reeded or serrated edges with not less than 10 per quarter inch.
The medallions shall not be in similitude in design or size, to include diameter and thickness, to any United States or foreign coin.
The mint with which the Department of General Services has contracted shall not begin production of a new design without the approval of the Department of General Services. Any request for approval of a new design which has not been approved or rejected by the department within 14 calendar days after its receipt of the request shall be deemed approved.
California medallion design Great Seal California Gold inscription State of California emblem medallion date mint mark medallion size .999 fine small stars design reeded edges Department of General Services medallion production approval California mint medallion design restrictions automatic design approval
Section § 7553
If gold producers show enough interest, the department will arrange with a certified mint to create gold medallions. The gold producers must supply the gold needed and pay upfront for all associated costs, including making the medallions, using the seal, and reimbursing the department for the design work.
Upon the showing of sufficient interest by gold producers, the department shall contract with a registered, certified mint for the minting of gold medallions in an amount and in such sizes as deemed appropriate. Gold producers shall provide all gold bullion necessary for minting and shall deliver it to the mint for processing. They shall pay in advance to the department a fee sufficient to cover all minting and handling costs; royalty fees for the use of the seal; and reimbursement costs to the department for designing the medallions.
gold medallions gold producers minting process certified mint gold bullion minting fees royalty fees seal usage design costs reimbursement department contract minting costs gold delivery advance payment
Section § 7554
This law specifies the fees for using the Great Seal of the State of California on medallions of various sizes.
A 1 troy ounce medallion has a $4 fee, a 0.5 troy ounce medallion costs $2, a 0.25 troy ounce medallion is $1, and a 0.1 troy ounce medallion has a $0.50 fee.
The Department of General Services shall, for the use of the Great Seal of the State of California, charge the following royalties:
(a)CA Government Code § 7554(a) For each medallion in the 1 troy ounce size, four dollars ($4).
(b)CA Government Code § 7554(b) For each medallion in the 0.5 troy ounce size, two dollars ($2).
(c)CA Government Code § 7554(c) For each medallion in the 0.25 troy ounce size, one dollar ($1).
(d)CA Government Code § 7554(d) For each medallion in the 0.1 troy ounce size, fifty cents ($0.50).
Great Seal royalties medallion fee 1 troy ounce 0.5 troy ounce 0.25 troy ounce 0.1 troy ounce Department of General Services California Seal usage medallion charges fee structure official seal medallions seal licensing
Section § 7555
Once the medallions are created, they go back to the producers, who are in charge of distributing, marketing, and selling them. This is an exception to another rule in Section 402.
After minting, the medallions shall be returned to the producers who, notwithstanding Section 402, shall have sole responsibility for distribution, marketing, and sales.
medallion minting producer responsibility distribution marketing sales Section 402 exception exclusive responsibility medallion producers sales responsibility marketing medallions
Section § 7556
This law states that only mints that are officially registered and certified, and have a contract with the department, are allowed to make medallions. If any other mint tries to produce these medallions, it's illegal and can lead to misdemeanor charges.
Only registered, certified mints which have contracted with the department may produce the medallions, as ordered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Any other production of the medallions is unlawful and punishable as a misdemeanor.
registered mints certified mints contracted mints medallion production unlawful production misdemeanor offense department contract illegal minting medallion regulation certification requirement
