Heritage Auctions is known as the leading auction house globally for unique collectibles, specifically including a stunning assortment of gold ingots recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. In this article, we will highlight some of the most valuable ingots that have been auctioned off, accompanied by a captivating historical narrative detailing the creation of these ingots by private assay firms in the 1850s.
The text featured here draws heavily from historical descriptions found in the listings at Heritage Auctions, providing readers with a glimpse into the remarkable stories behind these prized possessions.
The momentous discovery of gold in northern California in January 1848 forever altered the course of California, the United States, and the individuals who participated in the frenzied “rush” to the region. Prior to this discovery, California was a sparsely populated region within northern Mexico. However, following John Marshall’s groundbreaking find, California swiftly emerged as a vital contributor to the American economy. The influx of California gold into the economy led to a spike in the value of silver, a shift that would eventually be rectified with the discovery of the monumental Comstock Lode.
The 18.41 ounce Harris Marchand & Co. ingot remained unsold during an auction back in 2010. The Gold Rush sparked a massive movement of Europeans and Americans from the East Coast towards the West. San Francisco even resorted to using gold dust for transactions, which varied in quality and often included brass flakes, leading to fluctuating values. Demand for standardized coinage led to the establishment of the San Francisco Mint in 1854, but it struggled to keep up with the conversion of placer gold into coins and ingots of different sizes and weights. Private assayers, with excellent reputations, soon filled the gap by quickly converting gold dust into stamped ingots.
In a fascinating turn of events, a 14.01 ounce gold ingot from Kellogg & Humbert was recently auctioned off for a whopping $51,600 on September 5, 2019. These types of ingots, also known as assayers’ ingots, were a popular form of currency back in the day. The bars recovered from the S.S. Central America, in particular, were highly valued for their use in transferring large amounts of wealth.
During the 1850s, a significant amount of gold was being dug up in California and then shipped eastwards. The journey of the gold was quite the adventure, with it traveling from San Francisco to Panama via ship, then a fifty-mile trek across the Isthmus of Panama, and finally another ship ride to the East Coast of the United States.
However, things took a tragic turn on September 3, 1857, when the S.S. Central America set sail from the City of Aspinwall (now Colón) to New York City. Laden with ten tons of gold, along with 477 passengers and 101 crew members, the ship unfortunately encountered a hurricane on September 9th. The sails were torn, water flooded the boiler room, and the bilge pumps failed, eventually leading to the loss of the ship and a devastating 425 lives.
This catastrophic event was considered one of the worst navigation disasters in American history at the time.
Portrayed in a 1857 painting, the sinking of the S.S. Central America is a significant event in Western mining history. The value of the lost gold from the wreckage, now estimated at over $800 million, caused financial turmoil in the United States and Europe. The treasure, located 7,200 feet below the sea’s surface, attracted adventurers to pursue it. In 1988, the Columbus-America Discovery Group successfully recovered an estimated $100-$150 million in gold, with subsequent expeditions retrieving more treasures.
One prominent firm, Justh & Hunter, had 85 of their gold ingots salvaged from the S.S. Central America during recovery efforts in the late 1980s and 1990s. The total value of these bars in 1857 was $232,328.86, equivalent to over $7 million in 2021. Emanuel Justh, a lithographer from Verboca, Hungary, established a successful lithography business in San Francisco after emigrating from Hamburg, Germany. He later learned the assaying business and worked at the U.S. Branch Mint. Justh & Hunter had the second highest number of gold ingots among the five firms represented in the Central America treasure.
Just a year after leaving the branch mint in May 1855, Justh teamed up with Solomon Hillen Hunter to start an assaying partnership. Their partnership was supported by U.S. Assayer Agoston Haraszthy and branch mint Superintendent Louis Birdsall, who praised Justh’s skills and dedication. Hunter, originally from Maryland where he worked in shipping, ironically arrived in California on the S.S. George Law, later known as the S.S. Central America. This historical ship played a significant role in bringing attention to their firm in the numismatic community many years later.
On August 4, 2020, a 7.67 Ounce gold ingot from Justh & Hunter was auctioned off for $66,000. The partnership made swift advancements, establishing a branch assay office in Marysville by May 1856, offering a speedy 12-hour turnaround on ore assays. Justh & Hunter remained prominent in California until their partnership ended in July 1858.
Another impressive Justh & Hunter gold ingot, weighing 866.19 Ounces, was sold for $2,160,000 on January 14, 2022. The ingot is well-crafted, featuring the Justh & Hunter hallmark, weight, and purity of 892 fine. It was poured into Mold J&Hsf-15, measuring 87 mm x 283 mm, with occasional patches of reddish patina on both sides.
Justh ingots varied in size from petite to massive. The smallest weighed a mere 5.24 ounces, while the largest, which hailed from the San Francisco office, tipped the scales at an impressive 866.19 ounces. Surpassed only by the “Eureka!” Kellogg & Humbert ingot weighing 933.94 ounces, this colossal Justh & Hunter ingot holds the title as the largest from that assaying office worldwide. Furthermore, it remains unmatched as the biggest ingot ever to be auctioned publicly.
To give you an idea of how valuable this ingot is today, let’s take you back to 1857, when a carpenter in New York City earned $1.79 per day. Back then, they worked six days a week, so their weekly pay was around $10.74. Now, imagine that this ingot is worth $15,971.93 – that’s enough to cover the weekly wages of 1,487 carpenters.
The sinking of the S.S. Central America had a major impact on the financial markets in New York and played a role in causing the Panic of 1857. A Justh & Hunter 464.65 Ounce Gold Ingot was recently sold on May 5, 2022 for $1,320,000. The ingot has bright yellow-gold surfaces, typical of its .912 fineness. It also features two company hallmarks on its top side, a common characteristic of Marysville ingots.
The markings on the top of the ingot include NO.9521 and two J&H hallmarks, as well as 464.65 OZS. 912 FINE. and a value of $8759.90. The ingot was made using Mold J&Hm-08, giving it dimensions of 72mm x 216mm and a thickness of 51mm.
A notable characteristic found in the Marysville ingots is the small J&H stamp located on the corners where the assay chips were removed. This particular ingot, part of the 9000 series, is the largest one of its kind from Marysville that has been discovered so far. Its rarity and significance in understanding Gold Rush California cannot be emphasized enough.
Marysville, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Gold Fields,” became the second location for Emil Justh and Solomon H. Hunter after the success of their assay office in San Francisco. Located 125 miles northwest of the city, they set up shop in a modest 20 by 70-foot one-story brick building on 1st Street near D Street. Hunter took charge of the Marysville location while Justh continued to oversee operations at their original spot.
Marysville, with a population of around 8,000 people and properties worth $3.3 million, was thriving during the Gold Rush era. Another well-known assaying firm, Harris, Marchand, & Company, also operated in Marysville.
In 1857, Marysville sent $20 million worth of gold to the Eastern states, likely including gold ingots like the one being offered here. The Justh & Hunter 327.97-ounce gold ingot was sold for $564,000 on January 5, 2017.
This ingot falls under the “extremely large size” category, with a weight of 327.97 ounces. It is the second-largest Justh & Hunter ingot from the Marysville office, following a 464.65-ounce ingot. The ingot was valued at $6,162.78 when it was originally made.
Interestingly, both Justh and Hunter lacked experience in assaying before venturing into the business. Justh had a background in lithography and Hunter was a merchant in the shipping industry in Baltimore before they settled in California. Justh gained valuable knowledge working as an assistant assayer at the San Francisco Mint, while Hunter’s qualifications as an assayer remain unclear.
Despite their lack of experience, Justh & Hunter quickly made a name for themselves in the industry. Their advertisements in California newspapers in May 1855 highlighted their guarantee on all assays and their promise to pay any difference with the U.S. Mints. They also received endorsements from reputable figures like San Francisco Mint Superintendent Dr. Louis Aiken Birdsall and Assayer Agoston Haraszthy.
Justh & Hunter’s innovative approach to gold refining was recognized in The Mining Magazine in February 1856. The article praised their use of gas instead of the traditional sand-bath, calling it a revolutionary technique that should be adopted in all Mints. Their superior refining capability was further confirmed in the Weekly California Express in January 1859, which noted the high fineness of gold deposits from Justh & Hunter’s private refinery.
Although their partnership ended in July 1858, Justh & Hunter’s legacy lived on. A 266.97 ounce gold ingot bearing their company hallmarks was sold for $420,000 in June 2019. The ingot, measuring 177 x 66 x 39 mm, was a testament to their expertise in the field of assaying.
The surfaces of this rare Very Large Size ingot are a vibrant yellow-gold color, with just a hint of patina from its time on the rusted ship’s hull. This unique 179.50 ounce gold ingot comes from the Marysville office of Justh & Hunter and was sold on January 5, 2017 for $376,000.
What makes this ingot stand out are several factors. Firstly, its size is impressive. Secondly, it is the only ingot produced from this specific mold size. Lastly, it still bears evidence of the rusted iron hull of the S.S. Central America on all six sides. For collectors who categorize by mold size, this ingot is from mold J&Hsf-09 and is the sole one of its kind.
The items are placed in a horizontal position on the upper side and may be a bit difficult to read due to the thick layer of iron oxide covering them. The top side displays the following information: serial number 4250, J&H logo, weight of 179.50 ounces, purity of 886, and value of $3287.50. The last two digits of the serial number (50) are also seen on the back side of the ingot. The dimensions of the ingot are 124 x 51 x 47 mm.
A Justh & Hunter gold ingot weighing 160.64 ounces was auctioned off on January 13, 2021, fetching $372,000. This ingot is of a Very Large size and has a unique, almost cube-like shape. Despite its appearance, the ingot feels much heavier when held. The top side of the ingot features the details: serial number 4257, J&H hallmark, weight of 160.64 ounces at 891 purity, and value of $2958.76.
On the top side, you can barely see a hint of rust, but the back side is heavily covered with encrusted rust from the iron hull of the ship, with some patches visible on the remaining four sides. This specific ingot was cast in San Francisco, indicated by the 4,000 series in the serial number, while ingots from their Marysville office typically had a 9,000 series. A historical account of the collaboration between Justh and Hunter can be traced back to a newspaper article dated May 23, 1855 in the Daily Alta California.
On May 29, 1857, an exciting new partnership was announced between Justh, Hunter, and Charles Urzay, who was previously a partner of Agoston Haraszthy at the Eureka Gold and Silver Refinery. Unfortunately, this partnership was short-lived as Urzay decided to leave on August 15 of the same year.
Less than a year later, on July 5, 1858, Justh and Hunter made a public statement declaring that they would not be accepting any bullion for refining and coinage until further notice. Their successful partnership came to an end on July 10, 1858, with S.H. Hunter’s withdrawal from the firm.
The tale of John Glover Kellogg is a shining example of the California Gold Rush and the entrepreneurial spirit that characterized that period in the mid-19th century. Born on December 3, 1823, in Marcellus, New York, J. G. Kellogg attended various schools, including the Homer Academy in New York and schools in Kalamazoo and Marshall, Michigan. After studying law in Auburn, New York, Kellogg made the life-changing decision to head to San Francisco to seek his fortune in the California Gold Rush, arriving on October 12, 1849.
Kellogg quickly landed a job with Moffat & Co., where he oversaw the production of fifty dollar slugs through a government contract. He stayed with the company for four years, despite various relocations and changes in ownership by Curtis, Perry, and Ward.
When Moffat & Co. closed its doors in December 1853 to make way for the opening of the San Francisco Mint, Kellogg wasted no time. Just five days later, he teamed up with G. F. Richter, a former employee of Curtis, Perry, and Ward, to form the partnership “Kellogg & Richter.” They immediately began assaying operations and quickly gained the trust of the public.
Recently, a 121.61-ounce gold ingot from Kellogg & Humbert was sold on January 14, 2022, fetching $336,000. This ingot is classified as Very Large and is a substantial piece of gold. It features the markings: No 951 / K&H hallmark / 121.61 Oz / 897 FINE / $2254.96. The overall appearance is a bright yellow-gold color with no signs of corrosion from the iron ship hull. Mold K&H-04 was used to pour this ingot, measuring at 55 mm x 111 mm.
The issue of coin shortage in California during the Gold Rush era was a surprising problem despite the abundance of gold ore being extracted from the region. According to Schweikart and Doti, the lack of a mint in San Francisco until 1854 meant that even with plenty of gold available, there was a scarcity of coin in circulation. This led to daily transactions being carried out using raw gold dust, which had to be weighed and traded by purity, creating a reliance on private assayers to provide refined bars and coins for local commerce.
Private firms like Kellogg and Humbert emerged as trustworthy refineries, providing properly weighted and pure ingots and coins for the growing economy. Their reputation for honesty and quality set them apart from other less reliable businesses in the industry. This was evident in the successful sale of a 160.05-ounce gold ingot in 2019 for $312,000, showcasing the value placed on these refined gold products. The ingot’s size, purity, and markings demonstrated the quality and craftsmanship of Kellogg and Humbert in providing essential currency for the burgeoning economy of California during the Gold Rush era.
A few weeks after Kellogg & Richter opened, a group of bankers and bullion dealers from San Francisco and Sacramento asked the firm to produce gold coins due to a shortage of circulating gold coins. Their production quickly grew to over $6 million in twenty-dollar gold pieces. Kellogg continued his coin and assaying work in San Francisco until 1866 before retiring to New York for a life of relaxation and travel, leaving behind a lasting legacy from the California Gold Rush.
On August 24, 2022, a Kellogg & Humbert 103.96-ounce gold ingot was sold for $240,000. This particular ingot is classified as a Very Large Size Ingot, poured into Mold K&H-04, measuring 55mm x 111mm. The top side displays the markings: No 806 / (K&H hallmark) / 103.96 OZ / 896 FINE / $1925.54 with bright overall surfaces, especially on the top side.
Augustus Humbert was highly respected during the Gold Rush era in California, known for his role as the former United States Assayer of Gold in San Francisco. In an issue of the Alta California on October 23, 1855, he was praised as a man who made significant contributions to the state. Along with John Kellogg, he established an assaying and coining firm in 1855 which operated until 1860.
Kellogg & Humbert’s reputation was evident when the first retrieval of the S.S. Central America in the late 1980s uncovered 341 ingots from their firm, a larger quantity compared to other companies. These ingots ranged from 5.71 ounces to 933.94 ounces in size.
Another prominent figure in the industry was Gorham Blake, who started his career in mining and assaying at a young age. Initially appointed as the Superintendent of Iron Mines in Vermont at 21, he later ventured west with his brother Frank W. Blake and arrived in San Francisco in May 1855. Gorham was hired by Wells Fargo to buy gold dust and eventually became the owner of the Shaws Flat Ditch and Dardanelles Mine in El Dorado County in 1853. He also founded Blake & Co. as an assaying company that same year.
On January 10, 2019, a 19.19 ounce gold ingot from Blake & Co. was sold at an auction for a staggering $192,000. Blake gained the trust of miners by offering to cover any discrepancies in assay results compared to the U.S. Mints. His commitment to accuracy and quick turnaround time of six hours for all assays earned him a reputation for reliability. Unlike other assaying companies, Blake & Co. took the extra step to present their ingots beautifully, with the intention of possible circulation.
Fast forward to August 15, 2023, the largest known Blake & Co. ingot weighing 157.40 ounces was sold for an impressive $564,000. This unique ingot, categorized as “very large,” is a distinctive long bar believed to have been specially made from a specific mold. The inscriptions on the ingot read vertically as No 5233 / BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO /157.40 Oz / .816 FINE / VALUE / $2,655.05, and it was poured into Mold B-05 measuring 55 mm x 149 mm.
Independent assayers were permitted to operate in Gold Rush California because it proved to be effective. John Jay Knox, in his 1866 report for The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, explained why private minters and assay offices were allowed. He noted that private assayers were usually more cost-effective than government officers, and that large mining corporations would often hire reputable assayers for their services, offering higher compensation than the government salaries. This could lead the United States to retain only average assayers and workers, or even face accusations of unfairness and fraud, similar to those directed towards private individuals.
An example of private assayers in action is the sale of a Blake & Co. 96.62 ounce gold ingot in August 2019 for $384,000. This ingot, numbered 5212 from Blake & Co. in Sacramento, was 899 fine and valued at $1795.58. The ingot was created with a mold resulting in dimensions of 55 x 124 mm and 25 mm thick, with deep coppery-colored incrustation visible on each of the six sides from the rusted iron hull of the ship. This Large Size ingot from Blake & Co. is considered rare and significant.
Blake & Co. MS 19.15 Ounce Gold Ingot was purchased for a whopping $168,000 on April 25, 2019. This cute little ingot is almost square, measuring 42 x 52 x 13 mm, which indicates that it was made using Mold B-02. In the production of Blake ingots, only five fixed-sized molds were used, along with the adaptable “Twix Mold.” Mold B-02 is actually the smallest among the fixed-size molds. The top of the ingot is inscribed with the following details: BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO / 892 FINE / VALUE / $353.11.
The Blake ingots are carefully crafted with polished surfaces that shine like mirrors, and the edges are expertly beveled. These special features indicate that these bars may have been used as currency for exchange.
Established in 1855, Blake and Agrell’s assay office in Sacramento was short-lived, lasting less than two months. Their successor company, located closer to the gold fields than San Francisco, where most assayers were based, thrived due to the bustling trade in the city. Blake & Co. faced competition only from Harris, Marchand & Co. in the local market.
Both companies were situated on J Street. In 1856, Blake & Co. tested 200,000 ounces of gold, with the quality of the ore varying depending on the mine’s location. The gold from Michigan Bluff had the highest quality, priced at $20.15 per ounce, while Carson Valley’s gold was valued at just $12.13 per ounce.
The ingot in question contains some of the best ores mined in the area, valued at $18.43 per ounce. The high quality of the ore is confirmed by the fineness marked on the bar, 892 Fine.
Henry Hentsch’s assayed ingots are considered to be among the rarest bars recovered from the S.S. Central America, second only to those of Blake & Co. A total of 38 Hentsch ingots were found in both recovery efforts, with five more discovered during the 2014 expedition, adding to the 33 recovered in the late-1980s.
Out of the five assay firms involved in the two major efforts to recover the S.S. Central America, Harris, Marchand, and Henry Hentsch had international renown.
Desiré Marchand received the privilege of using his own official stamp as an assayer when he was still young, while Henry Hentsch came from a prominent Swiss banking family. Despite the comfortable life he could have led in Switzerland, Hentsch decided to seek new opportunities and adventures in January 1854. This led him to establish a small banking office in San Francisco upon his arrival in May of the same year.
Unlike many of his competitors in California during the Gold Rush, Hentsch had extensive experience in banking dating back to his time with Hentsch & Cie. in Switzerland. With his background in banking, international connections, and skill as an assayer, Hentsch was able to attract bullion depositors by listing references from European banks and gold dealers.
Hentsch’s reputation in Europe helped him secure a niche market in the assaying and transportation of gold to global markets, with Desiré Marchand being his primary competitor. His standing in the international community was further solidified when he was appointed as the official consul for Switzerland in 1859.
One noteworthy item linked to Hentsch’s career was a 238.84-ounce gold ingot that was sold on May 5, 2022, for $540,000. This ingot, stamped with the details No 3123 / 903 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 238.84 / $4458.35, was cast from mold HH-06 and displayed an even yellow-gold color throughout its 68 mm x 109 mm size.
Henry Hentsch, a Swiss citizen, landed in San Francisco on May 31, 1854 aboard the steamship S.S. Sonora. As stated by Dave Bowers, he was born into a well-known banking family on July 23, 1818 and later made a name for himself in the banking and real estate sectors in San Francisco, as well as in other ventures such as assaying.
In 1854, at the age of 36, Hentsch, who had been working for the family business Hentsch & Cie in Switzerland since 1842, decided to expand his business to include an Assay Office in San Francisco. He made this announcement in the Alta California newspaper on February 2, 1856. Hentsch assured customers of his prompt and reliable service in all aspects of the business. A rare 154.23-ounce gold ingot from Hentsch was sold for $336,000 on November 8, 2018. This ingot, one of the largest recovered from the S.S. Central America, featured the typical Hentsch engraving on the top side, showcasing its value and authenticity.
The gold ingot, weighing 176.25 ounces, was sold on September 5, 2019 for $324,000. It is a substantial piece measuring 57 x 157 x 33 mm in size. The markings on the top side are clear and spaced out: No 3213 / 894 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 176.25 / $3257.20.
Unlike many immigrants who came to the United States in the 19th century, Henry Hentsch always remained true to his Swiss roots. He eventually returned to Geneva to run the family’s business there, while his Swiss-American bank, managed by his partner Francis Berton, was based in San Francisco with a capitalization of $2 million as of 1873. The back side of the ingot also shows the same font and size of the ingot number found on the top side. There are visible marks from the ship’s rusted hull on the long left side, with less noticeable ones on the top and back sides. The dimensions of the ingot are 58 x 158 x 31 mm.
The success of any private assayer in San Francisco relied heavily on the reputation of the owners. Hentsch, a Swiss citizen, was not only an assayer but also a banker. His assaying office was conveniently situated next to his bank on the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. Before arriving in San Francisco, Hentsch had already established a solid reputation in Europe, which he successfully transferred to his banking and assaying operations in California. He promoted the issuance of Bills of Exchange in various cities such as New York, Liverpool, London, Frankfort, Hamburg, Berlin, Paris, and Geneva.
On August 15, 2023, a Henry Hentsch 119.45 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold for $300,082.80. This ingot is categorized as “Very Large” in size (100.01 to 300.00 ounces) and is among the largest Hentsch ingots ever found. Only five Hentsch ingots were retrieved in 2014. The ingot, laid out vertically, bears the following imprints: No 3225 / 873 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 119.45 / $2155.65. Its surfaces still display much of their original yellow-gold color, with some occasional flecks and streaks of ruddy patina dispersed throughout.
Henry Hentsch made a big move in 1858 by relocating his business to 120 Montgomery Street. He expanded his business ventures, owning a theater and serving as the Swiss Consul for a few years. After heading back to Switzerland in 1868 to oversee the family bank, Berton took over business matters in California until their bank merged with the Swiss-American Bank in 1873. Hentsch eventually passed away in Geneva, Switzerland at the age of 87 in 1905.
Harris, Marchand MS & Co.
Among the treasures recovered from the S.S. Central America were 32 gold ingots or assay bars from Harris, Marchand & Co. The firm operated assay offices in Sacramento and Marysville, California. The bars varied in size and fineness, from a small 9.87-oz bar of 777 fine gold valued at $158.53 in 1857 to a large 295.20-oz bar of 877 fineness valued at $5,351.73 in 1857.
Harris, Marchand was a unique firm during the Gold Rush era in California, as they were the only ones to use a coin-like hallmark on their ingots. The company was founded by Harvey Harris, a Danish man in his early 40s who had previously worked for well-known gold assayers such as Justh & Hunter and Kellogg & Co. (later known as Kellogg & Humbert). Desiré Charles Marchand, a young French-speaking Belgian who later became an American citizen, was also a key figure in the firm. Despite his youth, Marchand was skilled, holding credentials from the Mint of Paris, as mentioned in their advertisements.
One notable item from Harris, Marchand is a 174.04 Ounce Gold Ingot, which was auctioned off on January 31, 2019 for an impressive $528,000. The ingot, marked with the number No. 7095, features the Harris, Marchand oval name punch with a coin-like hallmark and the weight of the ingot below. The company name and hallmark are also displayed on the right side, along with the fineness of the gold: 942 FINE.
The bottom of the top side displays the ingot’s worth in 1857 – a hefty $3389.06. The back has a polished look, achieved by gentle tapping. This ingot is slightly trapezoidal in shape, likely made that way for easy extraction from the mold. Dimensions of the ingot are 65 x 177 x 25 mm.
There isn’t much information available about Charles L. Farrington, the “& Co.” in the firm originally known as Harris, Marchand & Co. He was an American from Maine but eventually retired from the company according to a Sacramento Union article from May 30, 1857. The reason for his retirement is unknown, but it could have been due to his age. After his departure, the firm continued on as Harris & Marchand Assayers.
A Harris, Marchand & Co. 55.05 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold on February 5, 2010 for $172,500. This particular ingot, like many others from the company, displays irregular punch marks for the serial number, weight, fineness, and value. However, the HARRIS MARCHAND & CO imprint and the MARCHAND / ESSAYEUR stamp are still as precise and elegant as ever.
The gold ingot has a bright yellow-gold color with some irregularities from casting on most sides, but the bottom is smoother than usual. There are corner cuts on the upper left and the opposite diagonal corner on the top face. It measures 42 x 112 x 20 mm in size.
Out of the numerous gold ingots lost in the sinking of the S.S. Central America, those produced by Harris, Marchand & Co. were relatively unknown until the ship was salvaged in the late 1980s. A total of 37 Harris, Marchand ingots were recovered from the wreckage, with this specific ingot being the only one from their Marysville branch office. The rest were from their main office in Sacramento.
The Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 17.48 Ounce Gold Ingot was auctioned off on March 14, 2019, fetching a price of $144,000. This medium-sized ingot is almost square in shape, with all the inscriptions located on the top face, including the serial number, H&M logo, hallmark, weight, gold purity, and value. The ingot is mostly yellow-gold, with some rust from the ship’s hull still visible on the lower back and lower-left corner. Its dimensions are 40 x 50 x 12 mm.
While the company Harris, Marchand & Co. folded before June 1857, the gold bars they had stamped endured. Thirty-six bars from the Sacramento branch ended up on the S.S. Central America, taking an unexpected dive into the ocean instead of being melted down in New York. After spending over a hundred years underwater, they evolved into valuable artifacts of historical significance.
