Heritage Auctions is known as the top spot for unique collectibles, such as the remarkable gold ingots recovered from the S.S. Central America. This article highlights some of the most valuable ingots to hit the auction block, along with a look into the history of the private assay firms that crafted these ingots back in the 1850s.
The details shared here were sourced from the historical descriptions found in various Heritage Auctions listings, providing a fascinating insight into the significance of these precious artifacts.
The finding of gold in northern California in 1848 was a game-changer for the region, the country, and the individuals who journeyed there in search of riches during the gold rush. What was once a quiet Mexican territory suddenly became a vital part of the American economy, thanks to the influx of California gold. This surge even impacted the value of silver until the discovery of the Comstock Lode balanced things out.
This 18.41 ounce ingot from Harris Marchand & Co. remained unsold during a 2010 auction.
The Gold Rush led to a massive wave of European and American migration to the West Coast. It also resulted in San Francisco using gold dust as a somewhat cumbersome method of conducting business transactions. The quality of gold dust varied from place to place and often contained brass flakes, making its value inconsistent.
The demand for a branch mint in San Francisco grew as citizens sought standardized coinage. The establishment of the San Francisco Mint in 1854 partially fulfilled this need, but they still struggled to keep up with the conversion of placer gold into coins or ingots of different sizes and weights.
To address this issue, several private assayers emerged, reputable firms capable of turning gold dust into stamped ingots in as little as 24 hours.
This 14.01 ounce gold ingot by Kellogg & Humbert fetched a whopping $51,600 at an auction held on September 5, 2019. Assayers’ ingots, like the ones recovered from the S.S. Central America, were commonly used for trading and transferring large amounts of wealth.
During the 1850s, a significant amount of gold being extracted from California was transported to eastern banks through a challenging journey that involved a ship from San Francisco to Panama, a fifty-mile trip across the Isthmus of Panama, and another ship to the East Coast of the United States. Thankfully, by 1855, the Panama Railroad was completed, making it easier to transport cargo, including large quantities of gold from California.
Tragedy struck 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, 477 passengers, and 101 crew members, the ship was hit by a hurricane on September 9th. The sails were torn, water flooded the boiler room, causing a loss of power, and with the bilge pumps failing, the fate of the S.S. Central America and its occupants was sealed. This disaster, claiming the lives of 425 crew members and passengers, was considered one of the worst American navigation tragedies of the time.
Depicted in a painting from 1857 is the sinking of the S.S. Central America, a tragic event in Western mining history. The ship went down with over $800 million worth of gold, causing a financial panic that affected the economies of the United States and Europe. Despite the immense wealth lying at the bottom of the sea, it wasn’t until advancements in technology enticed adventurers that expeditions were launched to recover the treasure, sitting 7,200 feet below the ocean’s surface. In 1988, the Columbus-America Discovery Group successfully retrieved an estimated $100-$150 million in gold. Following expeditions over the years led to the recovery of additional treasures.
Among the treasures salvaged from the S.S. Central America were gold ingots from prominent California private assay firms, auctioned off in recent years. One of these firms, Justh & Hunter, had 85 gold ingots recovered during the late 1980s and 1990s, valued at $232,328.86 in 1857. Emanuel Justh, originally from Hungary, established a lithography business in San Francisco and later ventured into the assaying business, working for the U.S. Branch Mint. Justh & Hunter had the second highest number of gold ingots recovered from the Central America, surpassing other prominent assayers like Harris, Marchand & Co.
Just a year later, in May 1855, Justh partnered up with Solomon Hillen Hunter to start an assaying business. It seems that Justh left the branch mint on good terms, as the new partnership received recommendations from U.S. Assayer Agoston Haraszthy and branch mint Superintendent Louis Birdsall. These officials spoke highly of Justh’s skills, describing him as competent and faithful.
Hunter, originally from Maryland where he worked in the shipping trade in Baltimore, arrived in San Francisco on the S.S. George Law. Interestingly enough, this ship was later renamed as the S.S. Central America, which played a role in bringing attention to their firm by the numismatic community 130 years later.
In August 2020, a 7.67 Ounce gold ingot from Justh & Hunter was auctioned off for $66,000. The partnership quickly expanded, opening a branch assay office in Marysville by May 1856 to better serve the gold fields with a rapid 12-hour ore assay turnaround promise. Justh & Hunter continued as significant California assayers until their partnership ended in July 1858.
Another larger ingot from Justh & Hunter, weighing 866.19 ounces was sold for $2,160,000 on January 14, 2022. The ingot is well-presented, showcasing the detailed markings: NO. 4221, a curved Justh & Hunter hallmark, 866.19 OZS 892 FINE, and $15971.93. It displays some reddish patina patches on both sides and was molded in J&Hsf-15 measuring 87 mm x 283 mm.
Justh & Hunter produced a range of ingots, some small and others huge. The smallest ingot weighed 5.24 ounces, while the largest one from their San Francisco office was an impressive 866.19 ounces. This hefty ingot is only surpassed in weight by the “Eureka!” Kellogg & Humbert ingot, which weighs 933.94 ounces. This Justh & Hunter ingot holds the title of being the largest from that assaying office worldwide, and it is also the biggest ingot ever auctioned off to the public.
If we want to understand how much this bar is worth today, let’s think about this: back in 1857, a carpenter in New York City earned approximately $1.79 per day. Working six days a week, they would make about $10.74 per week. With this ingot valued at $15,971.93, it could cover the weekly wages of 1,487 carpenters back in the 19th century.
The sinking of the S.S. Central America had a significant impact on the financial markets in New York and was a key factor in 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 shining yellow-gold surfaces, typical of its .912 fineness. This extra-large ingot from Marysville features company hallmarks on both the left and right sides when laid out horizontally.
All the details can be found on the top side of the ingot: NO.9521 with the J&H hallmark, another J&H hallmark, 464.65 OZS. 912 FINE, and a value of $8759.90. The ingot was poured into Mold J&Hm-08, making it 72mm x 216mm in size and 51mm thick.
One intriguing characteristic of the Marysville ingots is the small J&H stamp located on the corners where the assay chips were removed. This particular ingot from the 9000 series is currently the largest known in existence. The significance and rarity of this ingot in relation to the history of Gold Rush California cannot be emphasized enough.
Marysville, known as the “Gateway to the Gold Fields”, became the second location for Emil Justh and Solomon H. Hunter’s assay office one year after they established their first office in San Francisco. The office was set up in a modest one-story brick building on 1st Street, close to D Street, where Hunter took charge while Justh continued overseeing their original location.
Marysville was buzzing with a population of around 8,000 folks and boasted properties worth a total of $3.3 million, showcasing the thriving Gold Rush economy. Another well-known assaying company, Harris, Marchand, & Company, also had a presence in Marysville.
In 1857, a whopping $20 million in gold was shipped from Marysville to the Eastern states, likely in the form of gold bars like the one up for sale here. The Justh & Hunter 327.97 Ounce Gold Ingot was auctioned off on January 5, 2017 for a cool $564,000.
This hefty 327.97-ounce bar falls into the “extremely large size” category (ranging from 300.01 ounces to 500.00 ounces). It’s the second-largest Justh & Hunter bar linked to the Marysville office, with the top spot going to a 464.65-ounce ingot. This bar had a value of $6,162.78 at the time it was crafted.
Interestingly, neither Justh nor Hunter had much background in assaying before starting their business. Justh had experience in lithography, while Hunter was a merchant in the shipping industry in Baltimore before moving to California.
Despite their lack of prior experience, Justh & Hunter quickly made a name for themselves in the assaying industry. They began advertising in California newspapers in May 1855, guaranteeing all assays and even promising to cover any discrepancies with the U.S. Mints. They were endorsed by prominent figures in the field, such as San Francisco Mint Superintendent Dr. Louis Aiken Birdsall and Assayer Agoston Haraszthy.
In February 1856, Justh & Hunter received recognition for their innovative approach to gold refining. They adopted a new technique using gas instead of a sand-bath, a method that was praised for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This technique was praised in an article called “Invention in the Process of Gold Refining” in The Mining Magazine.
Another achievement for Justh & Hunter was highlighted in the Weekly California Express on January 29, 1859, where their private refinery was mentioned for producing high-quality gold deposits at the San Francisco Mint.
Despite their success, Justh & Hunter dissolved their partnership on July 10, 1858. Their legacy in the industry lives on, with a 266.97-ounce gold ingot bearing their hallmarks that sold for $420,000 in June 2019. The ingot is inscribed with company trademarks, weight, and purity, showcasing their expertise in gold refining.
The surfaces of this Very Large Size ingot are a vibrant shade of yellow-gold, with just a hint of patina from being attached to the rusted hull of a ship. This particular ingot was produced at the Marysville office of Justh & Hunter, making it a rare and significant piece. On January 5, 2017, it was sold for an impressive $376,000.
What makes this ingot stand out is not only its substantial size but also its unique history. It is the only ingot cast from this specific mold size, and all six sides bear evidence of being connected to the rusted iron hull of the S.S. Central America. For collectors interested in mold size, this ingot comes from mold J&Hsf-09 and is the sole piece of its kind.
The items are arranged in a horizontal position on the upper surface, making it a bit difficult to decipher due to the thick layer of rust covering them. On the top, you can see the following details: NO. 4250 / J&H logo / 179.50 ounces / 886 FINE / $3287.50. The last two digits of the serial number (50) are also present on the opposite side. The dimensions of the gold bar are 124 x 51 x 47 mm.
A Justh & Hunter gold ingot weighing 160.64 ounces was auctioned off on January 13, 2021, fetching a price of $372,000. This ingot is quite large in size and has a unique, almost cube-like shape. Despite its appearance, the ingot feels heavier when held in hand. The details on the top side are as follows: NO. 4257 / J&H hallmark / 160.64 OZS 891 FINE / $2958.76.
The upper side of the ingot has a slight rust stain, but the back side is heavily covered in rust from the ship’s iron hull, with some patches visible on the other sides. This particular ingot was produced in San Francisco, as indicated by the 4,000 series serial number, whereas the Marysville office usually used a 9,000 series for their ingots. A May 23, 1855 article from the Daily Alta California is one of the earliest documents that mentions the partnership between Justh and Hunter.
A new business partnership was formed on May 29, 1857, between Justh, Hunter, and Charles Urzay, who had previously worked with Agoston Haraszthy at the Eureka Gold and Silver Refinery. However, Urzay decided to part ways with the partnership on August 15 of the same year.
Less than a year later, on July 5, 1858, Justh and Hunter announced that they would not be accepting any bullion for refining and coinage until further notice. S.H. Hunter later withdrew from the firm on July 10, 1858, marking the end of their successful partnership.
John Glover Kellogg’s journey reflects the spirit of the California Gold Rush and the entrepreneurial drive of those who participated in it during the 19th century. Born in New York on December 3, 1823, Kellogg pursued education in various schools in New York and Michigan before studying law in Auburn. However, the lure of the Gold Rush led him to San Francisco on October 12, 1849.
Kellogg quickly landed a job with Moffat & Co., where he supervised the production of fifty dollar coins as part of a government contract. He stayed with the company for four years, despite changes in ownership, until it closed its doors on December 14, 1853 ahead of the opening of the San Francisco Mint in April 1854. Just five days later, on December 19, 1853, Kellogg joined forces with G. F. Richter, a former cashier and assayer at Curtis, Perry, and Ward, to form the partnership of “Kellogg & Richter.” They immediately started assaying operations and gained the trust of the public.
Recently, a Kellogg & Humbert 121.61 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold on January 14, 2022 for $336,000. This impressive ingot falls into the Very Large category, boasting a considerable amount of gold. The front side displays key information: No 951 / K&H hallmark / 121.61 Oz / 897 FINE / $2254.96. The ingot shines brightly in yellow-gold, unaffected by any rust from its historical origins. Mold K&H-04 was used to pour this ingot, giving it dimensions of 55 mm x 111 mm.
The California Gold Rush, with its massive extraction of gold ore, did not immediately solve the problem of coin shortage in the region. According to Schweikart and Doti, the lack of a mint in San Francisco until 1854 meant that despite the abundance of gold, coins were scarce. This led to everyday transactions being carried out with unrefined gold dust, requiring settlers to carry scales and negotiate over its value based on weight and purity.
Private assayers like Kellogg and Humbert played a vital role in refining gold dust into bars and coins for local use, separating reputable refiners from less reliable ones. An example of their work, a 160.05 ounce gold ingot, was sold in 2019 for $312,000. The ingot, classified as Very Large Size, displayed bright yellow-gold surfaces with vertical legends indicating its weight, fineness, and value. This piece exemplifies the ingenuity and reliability of reputable refiners in the California Gold Rush economy.
A few weeks after Kellogg & Richter opened for business, a shortage of gold coins led a group of bankers and bullion dealers to ask the firm to start producing gold coins. In no time, they were churning out over $6 million worth of twenty dollar gold pieces.
Kellogg continued minting and assaying gold in San Francisco until 1866, after which he headed back to New York to enjoy a well-deserved retirement filled with leisure and travel. His legacy from the California Gold Rush was firmly established.
One of Kellogg & Humbert’s 103.96 Ounce Gold Ingots was recently sold on August 24, 2022, for a hefty sum of $240,000. This specific bar falls under the Very Large Size category and was poured into Mold K&H-04, measuring 55mm x 111mm. The top side features the markings No 806 / (K&H hallmark) / 103.96 OZ / 896 FINE / $1925.54, with bright surfaces all around and a particularly striking top side.
In the heyday of the Gold Rush in California, Augustus Humbert was widely respected as the former United States Assayer of Gold in San Francisco. The October 23, 1855 issue of the Alta California praised him as a man who had made significant contributions to the state. Humbert, along with John Kellogg, founded an assaying and coining firm in 1855, which operated until 1860.
Kellogg & Humbert enjoyed a strong reputation, evidenced by the 341 ingots recovered from the S.S. Central America wreck in the late 1980s, with sizes ranging from 5.71 ounces to 933.94 ounces, all attributed to their firm.
Meanwhile, Gorham Blake started his career in mining and assaying at a young age, becoming the Superintendent of Iron Mines in Vermont at just 21. However, he decided to venture west with his brother Frank W. Blake and landed in San Francisco in May 22. Gorham began working for Wells Fargo, purchasing gold dust, and by 1853, he was the owner and superintendent of the Shaws Flat Ditch and the Dardanelles Mine, both in El Dorado County. In the same year, he went on to establish Blake & Co. as an assaying company.
This impressive 19.19 ounce gold ingot from Blake & Co. was recently sold at an auction for a whopping $192,000 in January 2019. Blake’s commitment to ensuring accurate assays by offering to cover any discrepancies with U.S. Mint results earned him the trust of local miners. In addition, he guaranteed a quick turnaround time of six hours for all assay reports, which could be redeemed in the form of bars or coins.
While other assaying companies were reliable, none matched the presentation of Blake’s ingots, which were not only accurate but also designed with potential circulation in mind. The latest sale of a Blake & Co. ingot, weighing a substantial 157.40 ounces, occurred on August 15, 2023, fetching an impressive $564,000. This particular ingot stands out as the largest known Blake & Co. piece, falling into the “very large” category. Its unique design, with inscriptions in a vertical layout, suggests it may have been poured from a mold specifically crafted for this exceptional ingot. The markings on the ingot include details such as the assay value, weight, and purity, making it a standout piece in the world of gold ingots.
Private assayers were permitted to operate in Gold Rush California for a variety of reasons, with economic efficiency being a key factor. As explained by John Jay Knox in his 1866 publication in The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, private assayers were able to conduct their business more cost-effectively than government officials. Established assayers with good reputations could earn double or more in compensation from large mining corporations than they would receive from the government. This led to concerns that the United States might only attract mediocre assayers and workers if private assayers were not allowed to operate, potentially leading to problems of unjust pay practices within government offices.
One notable example of private assaying in California was the sale of a Blake & Co. 96.62 ounce gold ingot on August 14, 2019, for $384,000. The ingot, marked with the number 5212 and the inscription “BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO / 96.62 Oz / 899 FINE / VALUE / $1795.58,” was poured into mold B-04, resulting in dimensions of 55 x 124 mm and 25 mm thick. Its six sides displayed a deep coppery-colored incrustation from the rusted iron hull of a ship, making it a rare and significant Large Size ingot from Blake & Co.
The unique Blake & Co. MS 19.15 Ounce Gold Ingot was purchased for a whopping $168,000 on April 25, 2019. Measuring 42 x 52 x 13 mm, this almost square ingot was clearly poured from Mold B-02, one of the five fixed-sized molds used for Blake ingots. The top face of the ingot proudly displays the inscription: BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO / 892 FINE / VALUE / $353.11.
The surfaces of the Blake ingots display the usual attention to detail, with a polished finish that shines like a mirror and beveled edges. These special touches hint that they may have been meant for use as a form of currency.
Established in 1855, Blake and Agrell’s assay office in Sacramento had a short-lived partnership that lasted less than two months. The successor company, located closer to the gold fields than San Francisco where most assayers were located, saw a bustling trade in the city. Blake & Co. only faced competition from one local rival, Harris, Marchand & Co.
Both companies were situated on J Street. In 1856, Blake & Co. examined 200,000 ounces of gold, with the ore’s quality varying based on where it was mined. The highest-quality gold came from Michigan Bluff, valued at $20.15 per ounce, while the lowest quality was from Carson Valley at $12.13 per ounce.
The gold found in this particular ingot is considered one of the best in the area, valued at $18.43 per ounce. The ingot’s high quality is evident from the 892 Fine stamp on the bar.
Ingots tested by Henry Hentsch are some of the rarest bars recovered from the S.S. Central America, second only to those of Blake & Co. A total of 38 Hentsch ingots were discovered in both the late-1980s and 2014 recovery efforts. In the 2014 recovery season, five additional Hentsch ingots were found, adding to the 33 already known from the initial recovery in the late-1980s.
Out of the five assaying companies involved in the major recovery endeavors of the S.S. Central America, two firms, Harris, Marchand, and Henry Hentsch, had reputations extending beyond national borders.
Desiré Marchand was just a teenager when he earned the privilege to use his own registered assayer’s stamp, while Henry Hentsch came from a prominent Swiss banking family. Although he could have enjoyed a comfortable life in Switzerland, Hentsch decided to seek new adventures and opportunities in January 1854, despite already being wealthy.
Upon arriving in San Francisco on May 31, 1854, Hentsch wasted no time in setting up a small banking office. Unlike many of his competitors in Gold Rush California, Hentsch had extensive experience in banking dating back to his time at Hentsch & Cie. in Switzerland since 1842.
His background in banking, international connections, and expertise as an assayer culminated in the success described in “A California Gold Rush History.” Leveraging his European connections, which included well-known names like Melly, Romilly & Co., and Hentsch & Co., Hentsch was able to attract bullion depositors who valued his reputation in the industry.
As one of the few serious competitors to Desiré Marchand in the gold assaying and transportation market, Hentsch’s reputation only grew when he was appointed the official consul for Switzerland in 1859. His name became synonymous with quality and reliability in the industry.
A prime example of Hentsch’s work is the 238.84 Ounce Gold Ingot that was sold on May 5, 2022, for $540,000. The ingot, with the inscription “No 3123 / 903 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 238.84 / $4458.35,” showcases his meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. It is a testament to his skill and dedication to his craft.
Henry Hentsch, hailing from Switzerland, made his way to San Francisco on May 31, 1854 aboard the S.S. Sonora. With a background in banking and born into a well-known banking family on July 23, 1818, he became a notable figure in the San Francisco banking scene, as well as venturing into real estate and assaying among other pursuits according to Dave Bowers.
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 ventures to San Francisco. He proudly announced the opening of his Assay Office on February 2, located at the northwest corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. Hentsch assured prompt and high-quality service, guaranteeing the accuracy of all assays conducted.
One of the notable items sold from Hentsch’s collection was a 154.23 Ounce Gold Ingot on November 8, 2018, fetching a price of $336,000. This ingot was considered a Very Large Size Hentsch ingot, ranking as the fifth largest recovered from the S.S. Central America. The top side featured the typical vertical format with markings such as No 3125, 893 FINE, Hy HENTSCH, Oz 154.23, and $2847.07.
The number on the ingot is duplicated on the back in the same style as the front. There are visible marks from the ship’s rusty hull on the left side, with less on the top and back. The ingot’s dimensions are 58 x 158 x 31 mm.
Unlike many immigrants to the United States in the 1800s, Henry Hentsch always kept his Swiss heritage close to his heart. He eventually returned to Geneva to run the family office there. However, his Swiss-American bank, managed by partner Francis Berton in San Francisco, had a capital of $2 million in 1873.
The auctioned Henry Hentsch 176.25 Ounce Gold Ingot, sold in 2019 for $324,000, is quite large at 57 x 157 x 33 mm. The markings on the ingot are all on the top and include: No 3213 / 894 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 176.25 / $3257.20.
The success of private assayers in San Francisco was heavily dependent on the owners’ reputation. Hentsch, a Swiss citizen who also worked as a banker, operated his assaying office next to his bank on the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. Having already established a solid reputation in Europe prior to coming to San Francisco, Hentsch advertised the issuance of Bills of Exchange in various cities such as New York, Liverpool, London, Frankfort, Hamburg, Berlin, Paris, and Geneva.
A 119.45-ounce gold ingot attributed to Henry Hentsch was recently sold on August 15, 2023, for $300,082.80. This ingot falls into the “Very Large” size category and is one of the largest Hentsch ingots ever found. One of only five recovered in 2014, it features imprints including the numbers No 3225, fineness at 873, the name Hy HENTSCH, weight at 119.45 ounces, and value at $2155.65. The original yellow-gold color of the ingot’s surfaces is mostly intact, with occasional flecks and streaks of ruddy patina adding character to the piece.
In 1858, Henry Hentsch moved his business to 120 Montgomery Street and dabbled in various ventures, including owning a theater and serving as the Swiss Consul. After returning to Switzerland in 1868 to oversee the family bank, Berton took over operations in California until the bank merged with the Swiss-American Bank in 1873. Hentsch passed away in Geneva at the age of 87 in 1905.
Among the treasures of the S.S. Central America were 32 gold ingots or assay bars from Harris, Marchand MS & Co. The firm had assay offices in Sacramento and Marysville, California, with bars ranging from a small 9.87-oz bar valued at $158.53 in 1857 to a large 295.20-oz bar valued at $5,351.73 in the same year.
Harris, Marchand was the sole company in Gold Rush California to use a coin-shaped hallmark on their gold ingots. Harvey Harris, a Danish individual in his early 40s, had previously worked for two other firms associated with gold ingots found in the S.S. Central America treasure. Desiré Charles Marchand, a French-speaking Belgian who later became an American citizen, was very young when the company was founded, with records suggesting he could have been as young as 16. This young age might explain why Marchand emphasized his credentials rather than his work experience in the company’s advertisement. A Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 174.04 Ounce Gold Ingot was auctioned on January 31, 2019, fetching a price of $528,000. The ingot featured the number 7095 at the top center, the Harris, Marchand oval name stamp with a coin-like hallmark and weight of 174.04 oz below it on the left, and the company name with a hallmark and fineness of 942 FINE on the right side.
Engraved at the bottom center of the top side is the worth of the ingot in 1857 – a total of $3389.06. The back side was smoothed by tapping to give it a polished look. The ingot is shaped slightly like a trapezoid, likely designed for easy extraction from the mold. Its dimensions are 65 x 177 x 25 mm.
Charles L. Farrington, the mysterious “& Co.” in the company, hailed from Maine in the United States. Details about him are scarce in the book California Coiners & Assayers, only mentioning his retirement from the firm as reported by the Sacramento Union on May 30, 1857. The reason for his departure remains unknown, but it could simply be due to age. Despite his absence, the business continued as Harris & Marchand Assayers.
A Harris, Marchand & Co. 55.05 ounce gold ingot was recently auctioned off on February 5, 2010, fetching a handsome sum of $172,500. This particular ingot, like many others from the same company, features haphazard punches on the serial number, weight, fineness, and value. On the bright side, the striking HARRIS MARCHAND & CO imprint and the elegant circular MARCHAND / ESSAYEUR stamp remain precise and captivating as always.
The gold ingot has a shiny yellow-gold appearance with typical imperfections from the casting process, although the bottom is smoother than usual. There are cuts at the upper left corner of the top face and its opposite diagonal. The dimensions of the ingot are 42 x 112 x 20 mm.
Among the many gold ingots lost in the S.S. Central America shipwreck, those from Harris, Marchand & Co. were not well-known until the late 1980s when the ship was salvaged. A total of 37 Harris, Marchand ingots were recovered from the ship, with this particular ingot being the only one from their Marysville branch office, while the rest were from their Sacramento office.
The Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 17.48 Ounce Gold Ingot was auctioned off on March 14, 2019 for $144,000. This ingot is small to medium-sized and almost square in shape, with all the inscriptions located on the top face. The engravings on the top face include: No 6508, a curved H&M logo, a circular H&M coin-like hallmark, 17.48 OZ, 885 FINE, and $319.78. The majority of the ingot is yellow-gold, except for some iron ore rust remnants from the ship’s hull on the lower back side and small traces of rust on the lower left corner. The ingot measures 40 x 50 x 12 mm.
Even though Harris, Marchand & Co. didn’t make it past June 1857, their legacy lived on through the gold bars they produced. Thirty-six bars from their Sacramento office were unknowingly destined for numismatic fame when they were loaded onto the S.S. Central America. Instead of being melted down in New York, they found themselves at the bottom of the ocean, where they underwent a remarkable transformation into historic treasures over the span of more than a century. Check out more about this fascinating story at Heritage Auctions. (Source: Western Mining History)
