Heritage Auctions stands out as the leading global auction house specializing in valuable collectibles, such as the remarkable gold ingots recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. This article showcases some of the most sought-after ingots sold at auction, along with intriguing historical insights into the private assay firms responsible for crafting these ingots in the 1850s.
The detailed information provided in this article is sourced from various listings at Heritage Auctions, offering a glimpse into the rich past of these valuable artifacts. The uncovering of gold in northern California in 1848 marked a pivotal moment in the state’s history, transforming it from a sparsely populated Mexican outpost to a significant economic powerhouse in the United States. The influx of California gold into the American economy had a profound impact, elevating the value of silver until the discovery of the Comstock Lode corrected this imbalance.
The 18.41 ounce ingot from Harris Marchand & Co. was left unsold during an auction back in 2010.
During the Gold Rush, there was a massive migration to the west by Europeans and Americans from the East Coast. In San Francisco, gold dust was used as a form of currency, despite its inconsistencies in quality due to being mixed with brass flakes.
The demand for standardized coinage in San Francisco led to the establishment of the San Francisco Mint in 1854. However, the mint struggled to keep up with the demand for converting placer gold into coins or ingots of different sizes and weights.
To fill this need, several reputable private assayers emerged to convert gold dust into stamped ingots, some even completing the process within 24 hours.
On September 5, 2019, a 14.01-ounce gold ingot from Kellogg & Humbert was auctioned off for $51,600. These assayers’ ingots were widely used as a form of trade, with the bars from the S.S. Central America proving to be valuable for transferring large amounts of wealth.
During the 1850s, a significant amount of gold from California was transported to eastern banks through a challenging route. This involved shipping the gold from San Francisco to Panama by boat, crossing the Isthmus of Panama by land, and then sailing again to the East Coast of the United States.
The completion of the Panama Railroad in 1855 made it easier to transport cargo, including large quantities of gold from California. Unfortunately, on September 3, 1857, the S.S. Central America, carrying ten tons of gold, 477 passengers, and 101 crew members, set sail from Aspinwall (now Colón, Panama) to New York City.
Tragically, on September 9th, the ship encountered a hurricane that caused significant damage, leading to the loss of power and ultimately, the sinking of the S.S. Central America. This disaster resulted in the loss of 425 crew members and passengers, marking it as one of the worst American navigation tragedies of the time.
The sinking of the S.S. Central America in 1857 was captured in a painting that is a significant part of Western mining history. The ship was carrying gold worth over $800 million at current prices, leading to a financial crisis in the United States and Europe. The treasure was located at a depth of 7,200 feet below the sea, enticing adventurers to search for it. In 1988, the Columbus-America Discovery Group successfully recovered $100-$150 million in gold from the wreckage, sparking several more expeditions in subsequent years.
Among the treasures salvaged from the S.S. Central America were incredible gold ingots from five California private assay firms. Justh & Hunter, one of the firms, had a large number of gold ingots recovered, with a total value of over $7 million in 2021. Emanuel Justh, the founder of the firm, was a lithographer who emigrated from Hungary to San Francisco, where he established a successful lithography business before venturing into the assaying business.
Just a year later, in May 1855, Justh partnered with Solomon Hillen Hunter to establish an assaying business. It seemed that Justh’s departure from the branch mint was on good terms, as the new partnership was recommended by U.S. Assayer Agoston Haraszthy and branch mint Superintendent Louis Birdsall. These officials praised Justh’s skills, stating that they were pleased to recommend him as a capable and reliable Assayer.
Solomon Hunter, who came from Maryland where he worked in the shipping industry in Baltimore, ended up in San Francisco. Interestingly, he arrived in California on the S.S. George Law, which was later renamed as the S.S. Central America. This ship would play a significant role in bringing attention to his firm within the numismatic community around 130 years later.
On August 4, 2020, a Justh & Hunter gold ingot weighing 7.67 ounces was sold at auction for $66,000. The partnership quickly expanded, opening a branch assay office in Marysville by May 1856, offering a 12-hour turnaround on ore assays. Justh & Hunter remained a key California assayer until their partnership was dissolved in July 1858.
Fast forward to January 14, 2022, when a larger Justh & Hunter gold ingot weighing 866.19 ounces was sold for $2,160,000. This ingot, stamped with a Justh & Hunter hallmark, displays the weight and purity in fine detail. With occasional patches of reddish patina, the ingot was poured into Mold J&Hsf-15, measuring 87 mm x 283 mm in size.
Justh ingots varied in size, from small to huge. The smallest one weighed 5.24 ounces, but the largest one, from the San Francisco office, was a whopping 866.19 ounces. This incredibly heavy ingot ranks second in weight only to the “Eureka!” Kellogg & Humbert ingot, which weighs 933.94 ounces. This makes the Justh & Hunter ingot the heaviest known from that assaying office globally, and it also holds the title of being the largest ingot ever auctioned to the public.
Putting things in context, let’s imagine the worth of this bar of metal in today’s world. Back in 1857, a carpenter in New York City would earn around $1.79 per day, with a typical work week being six days, resulting in a weekly income of $10.74. With the value of $15,971.93 marked on this ingot, it could cover the weekly wages of a whopping 1,487 carpenters from that time period.
It’s no surprise that the sinking of the S.S. Central America had a major impact on 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. This Extremely Large Size Ingot features two company hallmarks on its top side, a characteristic of Marysville ingots.
The engravings that distinguish this item can be found on the upper surface: NO.9521 / J&H hallmark, another J&H hallmark / 464.65 OZS. 912 FINE. / $8759.90. This bar was cast using Mold J&Hm-08, resulting in dimensions of 72mm x 216mm and a thickness of 51mm.
A unique characteristic found in Marysville ingots is a small J&H stamp located on the edges where the assay chips were removed. The Marysville ingot discussed is the largest 9000 series known to be in existence, emphasizing its rarity and significance in understanding Gold Rush California. It is hard to overemphasize the importance of this particular ingot in historical research.
Marysville, known as the “Gateway to the Gold Fields,” became the second location for Emil Justh and Solomon H. Hunter’s assay office. Situated 125 miles away from San Francisco, the office was housed in a modest one-story brick building on 1st Street near D Street. Hunter took charge of operations in Marysville, allowing Justh to focus on their original location in the bustling city.
Back in the day, Marysville was a bustling town with around 8,000 residents and properties worth a total of $3.3 million, thanks to the Gold Rush economy. Harris, Marchand, & Company, another well-known assaying firm, also had a presence in Marysville.
In 1857, a whopping $20 million worth of gold was shipped from Marysville to the Eastern states. Most of it was probably in the form of gold ingots, like the one being showcased here.
Justh & Hunter’s 327.97-ounce Gold Ingot was sold on January 5, 2017 for a cool $564,000. This bar falls into the “extremely large size” category, being the second-largest Justh & Hunter bar from the Marysville location after a 464.65-ounce ingot. At the time of its creation, the ingot had a value of $6,162.78.
Interestingly, neither Justh nor Hunter had much experience in assaying when they decided to start a business in that field. Before moving to California, Justh worked in lithography while Hunter was a merchant in the shipping industry in Baltimore.
Although Justh gained knowledge working as an assistant assayer at the San Francisco Mint, S. H. Hunter’s qualifications as an assayer were not well-defined. However, their lack of experience did not stop Justh & Hunter from achieving success.
Beginning in May 1855, Justh & Hunter advertised their services in California newspapers, offering guaranteed assays and promising to cover any discrepancies with the U.S. Mints. They received endorsements from prominent figures like San Francisco Mint Superintendent Dr. Louis Aiken Birdsall and Assayer Agoston Haraszthy.
Despite their limited experience, Justh & Hunter quickly built a solid reputation. In February 1856, they were praised in an article by The Mining Magazine for adopting an innovative gold-refining technique using gas instead of a sand bath, a method from Paris. This revolutionized the gold refining process and was lauded for its efficiency.
Another acknowledgment of Justh & Hunter’s expertise came in a publication in 1859 listing the high fineness of gold deposits at the San Francisco Mint for 1858, attributing a significant portion of refined gold to Justh & Hunter’s private refinery.
Although Justh & Hunter’s partnership ended in 1858, their legacy of superior refining capabilities continued to be recognized. In June 2019, a 266.97-ounce gold ingot from Justh & Hunter was sold for $420,000, showcasing the quality and craftsmanship of their work.
The surfaces of this rare Very Large Size ingot from Justh & Hunter’s Marysville office gleam in a bright yellow-gold hue, with just a hint of patina from the ship’s rusted hull. This remarkable ingot, weighing 179.50 ounces, was sold for an impressive $376,000 on January 5, 2017. What makes this ingot truly special is its sizable dimensions, the unique mold it was cast from, and the visible traces of the S.S. Central America’s rusted iron hull on all six sides. Molded from J&Hsf-09, this ingot is truly one of a kind.
The lineup of devices is positioned horizontally on the upper side of the ingot, making it somewhat challenging to decipher due to the thick layer of iron oxide covering it. The top side displays 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 duplicated on the opposite side. Measuring 124 x 51 x 47 mm, this Justh & Hunter ingot is quite substantial in size.
This Justh & Hunter gold ingot, weighing 160.64 ounces, was auctioned off on January 13, 2021, fetching a price of $372,000. The unique feature of this ingot is its almost cube-like shape, which sets it apart from others. Despite its appearance, the ingot feels significantly heavier when held in hand due to its high gold content. The top side of the ingot is labeled as follows: NO. 4257. / J&H hallmark / 160.64 OZS 891 FINE / $2958.76.
On the top side, there is a slight hint of rust, while the back side is heavily covered in rust from the iron hull of the ship, with some patches also visible on the remaining four sides.
This particular ingot was created in San Francisco, as indicated by the 4,000 series in the serial number, whereas the Marysville office typically used a 9,000 series.
A May 23, 1855 article from the Daily Alta California is one of the earliest records showcasing the partnership between Justh and Hunter.
The partnership between Justh, Hunter, and Charles Urzay was announced on May 29, 1857. Urzay, a former partner of Agoston Haraszthy at the Eureka Gold and Silver Refinery, joined the venture. However, the 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 released a statement saying that they would not be accepting any bullion for refining and coinage until further notice. The partnership officially ended on July 10, 1858, when S.H. Hunter decided to withdraw from the firm.
The story of John Glover Kellogg reflects the history of the California Gold Rush and the entrepreneurial spirit of individuals attracted to it in the mid-19th century. Born on December 3, 1823, in Marcellus, Onondaga County, New York, J. G. Kellogg attended various schools before studying law at Auburn in his home state. However, he was enticed by the excitement of the California Gold Rush, leading him to journey to San Francisco, where he arrived on October 12, 1849.
Kellogg quickly landed a job at Moffat & Co., where he oversaw the production of fifty dollar slugs as part of a government contract. Despite the firm going through changes in ownership over four years, he stayed on board with Curtis, Perry, and Ward.
When Moffat & Co. closed down in December 1853 to prepare for the opening of the San Francisco Mint, Kellogg wasted no time in teaming up with G. F. Richter, a former associate from his days at Curtis, Perry, and Ward. The duo promptly started assaying operations under the name “Kellogg & Richter,” earning the trust of the community.
In a recent auction, a Kellogg & Humbert 121.61 ounce gold ingot was sold for $336,000 on January 14, 2022. This impressive ingot falls into the Very Large category and boasts a clean design on the top side featuring the hallmark, weight, purity, and value. With its bright yellow-gold color and no signs of rust, this ingot was made using Mold K&H-04, measuring 55 mm x 111 mm.
The Dilemma of Currency during the Gold Rush Era
You would think that with all the gold being mined in northern California in the late 1840s and 1850s, there would have been an abundance of coins available. Surprisingly, this was not the case, as noted by Larry Schweikart and Lynne Pierson Doti in their 1998 piece, “From Hard Cash to Branch Banking: California Banking in the Gold Rush Economy.” The authors highlight how important financial intermediaries were in the evolving market system of California, even though there was plenty of gold around.
Despite the vast amounts of gold, the lack of coinage was a major issue in California. The authors point out that it wasn’t until 1854 that the United States opened a mint in San Francisco, leading to a shortage of coins despite the abundance of gold in the region. This resulted in people hoarding what few coins existed, as all customs had to be paid in U.S. coin.
In daily transactions, raw gold dust of varying purity was frequently used, leading to the need for scales to weigh the gold for trades. Negotiations over the value of gold dust were common and depended on factors like weight and purity.
Private assayers like John Grover Kellogg and Augustus Humbert played a vital role in the economy by refining gold dust into bars, ingots, and coins for local commerce. Some became renowned for their honesty and quality of their products, while others were unable to produce goods of the proper weight and fineness.
An example of a well-crafted ingot is the Kellogg & Humbert 160.05 Ounce Gold Ingot, which was sold for $312,000 in August 2019. This ten-pound ingot is bright yellow-gold with no signs of patina, featuring the hallmarks and serial number on its surfaces. Measuring 63 x 146 x 40 mm, the ingot is a prized piece from the Gold Rush era.
A few weeks after Kellogg & Richter opened, a group of bankers and bullion dealers had to ask the firm to make gold coins due to a shortage of them circulating. Kellogg quickly produced over $6 million worth of twenty-dollar gold coins. After staying in the coining and assaying business in San Francisco until 1866, Kellogg decided to retire in New York, where he enjoyed a life of leisure 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 bar is considered a Very Large Size Ingot, poured into Mold K&H-04, measuring 55mm x 111mm. The top side is elegantly arranged with the markings: No 806 / (K&H hallmark) / 103.96 OZ / 896 FINE / $1925.54. The surfaces are overall bright, with the top side standing out in particular.
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, he was praised in the October 23, 1855 issue of the Alta California as someone who had made significant contributions to the state. Together with John Kellogg, they established an assaying and coining firm in 1855 and operated successfully until 1860.
Kellogg & Humbert’s reputation was evident when the first recovery of the S.S. Central America in the late 1980s resulted in the retrieval of 341 ingots from their firm, which was more than any other firm. These ingots ranged in size from 5.71 ounces to 933.94 ounces.
On the other hand, Gorham Blake began his career in mining and assaying at a young age, overseeing Iron Mines in Vermont at 21. He and his brother Frank W. Blake later made their way to San Francisco in 1855, with Gorham working for Wells Fargo to purchase gold dust. By 1853, he owned and managed the Shaws Flat Ditch and the Dardanelles Mine in El Dorado County, while also founding Blake & Co. as an assaying company.
On January 10, 2019, a 19.19 ounce gold ingot from Blake & Co. was auctioned off for a hefty $192,000. Blake had earned the trust of miners by ensuring the accuracy of his assays and offering to pay any discrepancies compared to the U.S. Mints’ results. This commitment to honesty made him highly respected in the mining community. Unlike other assaying companies, Blake’s ingots were not only reliable but also intended for circulation, setting them apart from the rest.
Another remarkable Blake & Co. ingot, weighing 157.40 ounces, was sold for a staggering $564,000 on August 15, 2023. This large ingot, categorized as “very large,” is unique as it is the only one known to exist from its mold. The inscriptions on it are elegantly laid out vertically, showcasing the details of its origin and value. The ingot was poured into Mold B-05, resulting in dimensions of 55 mm x 149 mm.
Independent assayers and minters were permitted to operate during the Gold Rush in California, and it was mainly due to the fact that it was a successful practice. In 1866, John Jay Knox provided an extensive explanation in The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, discussing why this was allowed. Knox pointed out that private assayers were more cost-effective than government officers, and many large mining corporations preferred to use assayers with established reputations, often paying them double what the government offered. This led to the United States only obtaining lower-quality assayers and workers, or facing allegations of corruption similar to those that private individuals sometimes encountered.
Recently, a 96.62 ounce gold ingot from Blake & Co. was sold for $384,000. This rare and significant large-size ingot, bearing the inscription “No. 5212 / 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. Each side of the ingot displays a deep coppery-colored incrustation from the rusted iron ship hull, adding to its unique history and value.
Blake & Co. MS 19.15 Ounce Gold Bar was purchased for a whopping $168,000 on April 25, 2019. This compact ingot has dimensions of 42 x 52 x 13 mm, indicating that it was made using Mold B-02. Blake ingots were produced using only a handful of molds, including the versatile “Twix Mold” for varying lengths. Mold B-02 happens to be the smallest among the fixed-size molds. On the top surface of the ingot, the inscription reads: BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO / 892 FINE / VALUE / $353.11.
The Blake ingots display a high level of attention to detail, with polished surfaces that shine like mirrors and beveled edges. These finishing touches give the impression that the bars were possibly meant to be used as a form of currency in circulation.
The assay office of Blake and Agrell was set up in Sacramento in 1855 but their partnership was short-lived, lasting less than two months. Following this, a new company took over in Sacramento, which was in closer proximity to the gold fields compared to San Francisco where most assayers operated. This resulted in a bustling trade for assayers in Sacramento, with Blake & Co. having only one local competitor, Harris, Marchand & Co.
Both companies were situated on J Street. In 1856, Blake & Co. examined 200,000 ounces of gold, with the quality of the ore varying depending on the mine’s location. The most valuable ore came from Michigan Bluff at $20.15 per ounce, while the least valuable came from Carson Valley at only $12.13 per ounce.
The gold in this specific ingot is considered one of the highest quality ores in the area, valued at $18.43 per ounce. This is confirmed by the high purity stamped on the bar, 892 Fine.
Henry Hentsch’s ingots are some of the rarest bars recovered from the S.S. Central America, second only to Blake & Co. A total of 38 Hentsch ingots were found in both recovery efforts, with five more discovered in the 2014 season in addition to the 33 known from the late-1980s recovery.
Out of the five assaying companies involved in the two major recovery efforts of the S.S. Central America, two had global reputations: Harris, Marchand, and Henry Hentsch.
Desiré Marchand earned the privilege of using his own registered assayer’s stamp as a teenager, while Henry Hentsch came from a well-known Swiss banking family. Although he could have chosen a comfortable life in Switzerland, Hentsch decided to seek adventure and new opportunities in January 1854, despite already having wealth.
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, he had extensive experience in banking dating back to his time with Hentsch & Cie. in Switzerland since 1842.
Utilizing his banking expertise, international connections, and skill as an assayer, Henry Hentsch was able to establish himself as a prominent figure in the California Gold Rush. His network of European references, including banks and gold dealers, attracted bullion depositors looking to tap into world markets.
With his reputation solidified in Europe, Hentsch dominated the market for assaying and transporting gold, with only Desiré Marchand as his main rival. His stature grew even further when he was appointed as the official consul for Switzerland in 1859.
A highlight of Hentsch’s career was the sale of a 238.84 Ounce Gold Ingot on May 5, 2022, fetching a price of $540,000. The ingot, bearing the inscription “No 3123 / 903 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 238.84 / $4458.35,” was cast from mold HH-06 and displayed a uniform yellow-gold color, measuring 68 mm x 109 mm.
Henry Hentsch, a native of Switzerland, landed in San Francisco on May 31, 1854 aboard the S.S. Sonora. As per Dave Bowers, he was “born into a well-known banking family on July 23, 1818” and “rose to prominence in San Francisco’s banking, real estate, and other ventures, such as assaying.”
In 1854, at the age of 36, Hentsch had gained a lot of experience working for the family business in Switzerland since 1842. Therefore, it was no surprise when Hentsch announced in the February 2 issue of the Alta California newspaper that he had opened an Assay Office at the Northwest corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. Hentsch assured clients that all orders would be handled promptly and that his assays were reliable.
An impressive 154.23-ounce gold ingot bearing the name Henry Hentsch was sold on November 8, 2018, for $336,000. This ingot was one of the largest recovered from the S.S. Central America. The front side of the ingot features the inscription: No 3125 / 893 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 154.23 / $2847.07.
The number on the ingot is also displayed on the back side in the same font and size as on the top side. There is noticeable rust from the ship’s hull on the long left side of the ingot, with less visible on the top and back sides. The dimensions of the ingot are 58 x 158 x 31 mm.
Henry Hentsch, unlike many immigrants to the United States in the 19th century, remained true to his Swiss roots and eventually returned to Geneva to oversee the family’s business there. However, his Swiss-American bank, managed by his partner Francis Berton, remained based in San Francisco with a capitalization of $2 million in 1873.
The Henry Hentsch 176.25 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold for $324,000 on September 5, 2019. This is a very large ingot measuring 57 x 157 x 33 mm. The inscriptions, including No 3213, 894 FINE, Hy HENTSCH, Oz 176.25, and $3257.20, are all located on the top side of the ingot and are spaced nicely.
The success of a private assayer in San Francisco was heavily reliant on the reputation of the owners. Hentsch, a Swiss citizen, operated an assaying office adjacent to his bank on the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. Prior to his venture in San Francisco, Hentsch had established a strong reputation in Europe which carried over to his banking and assaying activities in California. He advertised the issuance of Bills of Exchange in various prominent cities worldwide.
On August 15, 2023, a 119.45 ounce gold ingot produced by Henry Hentsch was sold for $300,082.80. This ingot falls under the “Very Large” size category and is one of the largest Hentsch ingots recovered. It is one of just five Hentsch ingots found in 2014. The ingot is vertically laid out with clear imprints: No 3225 / 873 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 119.45 / $2155.65. The surfaces of the ingot maintain most of their original yellow-gold hue with occasional specks and streaks of ruddy patina visible.
Henry Hentsch made the move to 120 Montgomery Street in 1858 to expand his business ventures. He dabbled in various businesses, even owning a theater and serving as the Swiss Consul for a period. In 1868, he returned to Switzerland to oversee the family bank, entrusting Berton to handle things in California until the bank merged with the Swiss-American Bank in 1873. Hentsch passed away in Geneva in 1905 at the age of 87.
Among the treasures recovered from the S.S. Central America were 32 gold ingots from Harris, Marchand & Co. These ingots came from assay offices in Sacramento and Marysville, California. The bars varied in size and purity, ranging from a small 9.87-oz bar valued at $158.53 in 1857 to a hefty 295.20-oz bar worth $5,351.73 in the same year.
Harris and Marchand, a unique firm in Gold Rush California, stood out by using a coin-like hallmark on their ingots. The company was founded by Harvey Harris, a Danish national in his early 40s with previous experience at Justh & Hunter and Kellogg & Co., both known for their association with assayers of gold ingots. His partner, Desiré Charles Marchand, a young French-speaking Belgian, had credentials from the Mint of Paris mentioned in their advertisement. Despite varying accounts of his age, Marchand was likely very young at the time of the firm’s formation, possibly explaining why he emphasized his credentials rather than work experience.
One of their notable ingots, the Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 174.04 Ounce Gold Ingot, was sold on January 31, 2019, for $528,000. The ingot featured the unique hallmark with the company name and fineness, making it a valuable and sought-after piece for collectors.
The ingot’s 1857 value of $3389.06 is prominently displayed at the bottom center of the top side. The back side has a smooth finish created by tapping. The ingot is shaped slightly like a trapezoid, likely designed to make it easier to take out of the mold. Its dimensions are 65 x 177 x 25 mm.
Charles L. Farrington, the “& Co.” in the company, was an American hailing from Maine, but there isn’t much information available about him in the book California Coiners & Assayers. It is mentioned that he retired from the firm as per a news article in the Sacramento Union on May 30, 1857. The reason for his retirement is unspecified, but it may have been due to his age. Following his departure, the firm continued on as Harris & Marchand Assayers.
An impressive Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 55.05 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold on February 5, 2010, fetching a price of $172,500. Just like many other ingots from Harris, Marchand & Co., this particular piece also displays irregular punching on the serial number, weight, fineness, and value. However, the distinctive HARRIS MARCHAND & CO imprint and the circular MARCHAND / ESSAYEUR stamp remain precise and elegant as always.
The gold ingot has a shiny yellow-gold surface with some imperfections from the casting process, although the bottom is smoother than usual. There are cuts at the upper left and the opposite diagonal corner of the top face of the ingot, which measures 42 x 112 x 20 mm.
Out of the numerous gold ingots lost in the sinking of the S.S. Central America, those from Harris, Marchand & Co. were not well-known until the shipwreck was salvaged in the late 1980s. A total of 37 Harris, Marchand ingots were recovered from the wreckage, but this one is the only ingot from their Marysville branch office, while the others were from their main Sacramento office.
The Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 17.48 Ounce Gold Ingot was auctioned off on March 14, 2019, and fetched a price of $144,000. This ingot is small to medium in size, almost square in shape, with all the markings on the top face: No 6508, a curved H&M logo, a circular H&M coin-like hallmark, 17.48 OZ., 885. FINE, and $319.78. Most of the surfaces are yellow-gold, except for a spot of iron ore rust from the ship’s hull on the lower part of the back side, along with some rust on the lower left corner. The ingot measures 40 x 50 x 12 mm.
Although Harris, Marchand & Co. did not survive past June 1857, the gold bars bearing their stamp did. Thirty-six bars from the Sacramento office were bound for New York to be melted down, but fate had other plans. Instead, they ended up on the S.S. Central America, resting at the bottom of the ocean and ultimately becoming cherished relics over the span of a century. Learn more about these historic treasures at Heritage Auctions. For additional information, visit: https://westernmininghistory.com/
