Heritage Auctions is known around the world as the top spot for collectors looking to bid on unique items, including the stunning gold ingots recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. Take a look at some of the most sought-after ingots to hit the auction block, and delve into the history of the private assay firms responsible for creating these treasures in the 1850s.
The information in this article is sourced from the detailed descriptions found in various Heritage Auctions listings, offering insights into the fascinating backstory of these valuable artifacts.
The discovery of gold in northern California in 1848 had a monumental impact, not only on the state itself but on the entire nation and the individuals who rushed to be part of the historic event. California transformed from a sparsely populated Mexican outpost to a key player in the U.S. economy after John Marshall’s gold discovery. This influx of California gold into the American economy led to a rise in the value of silver, a trend that would later be balanced out with the discovery of the Comstock Lode.
The 18.41 ounce ingot from Harris Marchand & Co. didn’t find a buyer during a 2010 auction. The Gold Rush led to a large migration of Europeans and Americans to the West, causing San Francisco to resort to using gold dust for commercial transactions. However, the quality of gold dust varied from place to place, with some even being mixed with brass flakes, making its value inconsistent.
Due to the demand for standardized coinage, the citizens of San Francisco pushed for a branch mint, leading to the establishment of the San Francisco Mint in 1854. However, even with the mint in place, there was still a need for private assayers to convert placer gold into stamped ingots of various sizes and weights, as the mint couldn’t keep up with the demand. Around a dozen reputable firms were able to fill this gap by quickly converting gold dust into ingots with their stamp of approval, some able to do so within a day.
On September 5, 2019, a 14.01 ounce Kellogg & Humbert gold ingot was auctioned off for $51,600. These types of ingots served as a commonly accepted form of trade, especially for transferring large amounts of wealth, as seen with the bars recovered from the historic S.S. Central America.
During the 1850s, a significant amount of gold from California was transported to eastern banks. This journey mirrored the path taken by gold seekers traveling to California: from San Francisco to Panama by ship, then a fifty-mile trek across the Isthmus of Panama, and finally another ship ride to the East Coast of the United States.
The completion of the Panama Railroad in 1855 made the transfer of cargo, including gold, much more efficient. However, tragedy struck on September 3, 1857, when the S.S. Central America, carrying ten tons of gold, 477 passengers, and 101 crew members, set sail from the City of Aspinwall to New York City.
Just six days later, the ship encountered a devastating hurricane. The sails were torn, water flooded the boiler room, causing the ship to lose power, and the loss of the bilge pumps sealed the fate of the S.S. Central America and its occupants. This incident was considered one of the worst American navigation disasters of that era, with a total of 425 lives lost.
Depicted in a 1857 painting, the sinking of the S.S. Central America in Western mining history resulted in the loss of gold worth over $800 million at today’s prices. This massive loss triggered financial chaos in both the United States and Europe. With such a large fortune resting at the ocean floor, it was inevitable that technological advancements would lure treasure hunters to seek the riches buried below 7,200 feet. In 1988, the Columbus-America Discovery Group launched the first successful expedition to recover an estimated $100-$150 million in gold from the sunken ship. Subsequent expeditions in the following years retrieved more gold and treasures.
Among the treasures salvaged from the S.S. Central America were gold ingots from five prominent California private assay firms. Here is an account of the extraordinary ingots recovered from Justh & Hunter, one of the firms. The recovery of 85 of their gold ingots during the late 1980s and 1990s revealed the immense scale of their operation. The total value of these bars in 1857 equated to $232,328.86, which is over $7 million in 2021. Justh & Hunter had the second largest number of gold ingots among the firms represented in the Central America treasure, surpassing the third most represented assayer, Harris, Marchand & Co.
Emanuel Justh, a lithographer from Hungary, immigrated to San Francisco from Germany and started a lithography business in the city. In 1854, he ventured into the assaying business and worked at the U.S. Branch Mint.
Just a year after, in May 1855, Justh and Solomon Hillen Hunter teamed up to start an assaying business. Justh’s departure from the branch mint seemed to be on good terms as the new partnership was recommended by U.S. Assayer Agoston Haraszthy and branch mint Superintendent Louis Birdsall. These officials spoke highly of Justh, saying he was competent and trustworthy.
Solomon Hunter, originally from Maryland where he worked in the shipping industry in Baltimore, arrived in San Francisco on the S.S. George Law. This ship was later renamed the S.S. Central America, which played a significant role in bringing attention to his firm in the numismatic community 130 years later.
The 7.67 Ounce gold ingot from Justh & Hunter fetched $66,000 at auction in August 2020. Things progressed quickly for the duo, and by May 1856, they had set up a branch assay office in Marysville, much closer to the gold fields. They even promised a speedy 12-hour turnaround on assaying ore in that office. Justh & Hunter remained a prominent California assayer until they went their separate ways in July 1858.
Another impressive piece, the 866.19 Ounce Gold Ingot from Justh & Hunter, was sold for $2,160,000 on January 14, 2022. The ingot is well-organized, with markings including the Justh & Hunter hallmark, weight, purity, and value. There are sporadic reddish patches on the surfaces, and the ingot was poured into Mold J&Hsf-15, making it measure 87 mm x 283 mm.
Justh ingots come in a variety of sizes, from small to massive. The smallest ingot weighed 5.24 ounces, while the largest, from the San Francisco office, tipped the scales at a whopping 866.19 ounces. This huge ingot is only surpassed in weight by the “Eureka!” Kellogg & Humbert ingot, which weighs 933.94 ounces. This makes the Justh & Hunter ingot the heaviest known from that office globally, and it is also the largest ingot ever to be auctioned off to the public.
To give some context on how valuable this ingot is today, let’s take a look back to 1857 in New York City when carpenters were making an average of $1.79 per day. With a six-day work week, that adds up to about $10.74 per week for a carpenter. At its current value of $15,971.93, this ingot could cover the weekly wages of 1,487 carpenters from that time.
The sinking of the S.S. Central America had a significant impact on the financial markets in New York and played a role in the Panic of 1857. An impressive 464.65-ounce gold ingot, known as the Justh & Hunter ingot, was recently sold for $1,320,000 on May 5, 2022. The ingot features bright yellow-gold surfaces, typical of its .912 fineness. This Extremely Large Size Ingot bears two company hallmarks on its top side, a characteristic of the Marysville ingots.
The unique markings can be found on the upper side of the ingot: NO.9521 and the J&H logo, followed by another J&H logo and the weight of 464.65 Ounces at 91.2% purity, valued at $8759.90. This ingot was crafted using Mold J&Hm-08, resulting in dimensions of 72mm x 216mm and a thickness of 51mm.
A standout characteristic of the Marysville ingots is the small J&H stamp found on the corners where the assay chips were removed. This particular 9000 series Marysville ingot is considered the biggest one of its kind. Its rarity and significance in understanding Gold Rush California cannot be emphasized enough.
Known as the “Gateway to the Gold Fields,” Marysville became the new frontier for Emil Justh and Solomon H. Hunter. After setting up their assay office in San Francisco, they decided to expand to a second location in this bustling city located 125 miles northwest. The new office was housed in a modest 20 by 70-foot brick building on 1st Street near D Street, with Hunter taking the reins while Justh continued to oversee their original location in San Francisco.
In its heyday, Marysville was buzzing with around 8,000 residents and properties worth a whopping $3.3 million, a clear indication of the prosperous Gold Rush era. One of the well-known assaying companies, Harris, Marchand, & Company, also had a branch in Marysville.
Back in 1857, a staggering $20 million worth of gold was shipped out from Marysville to the Eastern states. It’s safe to assume that a big chunk of that was in the form of gold bars, much like the one we have up for grabs now.
Justh & Hunter hit the jackpot with this 327.97-ounce gold ingot, which was snatched up for a cool $564,000 on January 5, 2017. This hefty bar falls in the “extremely large size” category, sandwiched between 300.01 and 500.00 ounces. It’s actually the second-largest Justh & Hunter bar from the Marysville office, right after a hefty 464.65-ounce ingot. Way back when it was made, this golden beauty was worth $6,162.78.
Interestingly, despite lacking much experience in assaying, Justh and Hunter managed to successfully launch a business in that field. Before coming to California, Justh worked in lithography while Hunter was a merchant in Baltimore’s shipping industry. Justh gained valuable knowledge as an assistant assayer at the San Francisco Mint during its first year, although Hunter’s qualifications remain unclear. However, their lack of experience did not hinder their success.
Justh & Hunter started advertising in California newspapers in May 1855, offering guaranteed assays and promising to cover any differences found in comparison to U.S. Mint results. They received endorsements from San Francisco Mint Superintendent Dr. Louis Aiken Birdsall and Assayer Agoston Haraszthy, whom Justh had worked with previously. Despite their limited experience, they quickly developed a strong reputation for their skills.
In February 1856, Justh & Hunter were praised in The Mining Magazine for their innovative gold refining technique using gas instead of the traditional sand-bath method. This new method was seen as a significant improvement, with the authors suggesting it be adopted in all Mints to save time and resources.
Their refining capabilities were further highlighted in the Weekly California Express in January 1859, noting that a significant portion of the deposits at the San Francisco Mint in 1858 came from the private refinery of Justh & Hunter. Unfortunately, the partnership ended in July 1858.
A notable item from their time in business, a 266.97 ounce gold ingot, was sold for $420,000 in June 2019. The ingot features company hallmarks and specific details about its weight and purity, showcasing the quality of their work.
The surfaces of this rare Very Large Size gold ingot are a vibrant yellow-gold color, showing only a hint of patina from the rusted ship’s hull it was cast from. This significant piece comes from the Marysville office of Justh & Hunter and is a highly sought-after collector’s item.
The Justh & Hunter 179.50 ounce gold ingot, which was auctioned off on January 5, 2017 for an impressive $376,000, stands out for several reasons. Not only is it exceptionally large, but it is also the only ingot produced from this specific mold size. Additionally, all six sides of the ingot bear evidence of the rusted iron hull of the S.S. Central America, adding to its uniqueness.
For those enthusiasts who collect by mold size, this ingot comes from mold J&Hsf-09 and is the sole existing example of its kind. It truly is a one-of-a-kind piece that holds a special place in the world of collectibles.
The devices are arranged in a horizontal layout on the top surface, making them a bit difficult to read due to the thick layer of iron oxide covering them. The top side displays the following information: NO. 4257 / J&H logo / 160.64 ounces / 891 FINE / $2958.76. The last two digits of the serial number (57) are also repeated on the back side of the ingot. Measuring 124 by 51 by 47 mm, this ingot is quite large and has a unique almost cubic shape. Despite its appearance, holding this ingot in hand reveals its considerable weight. It was sold on January 13, 2021 for $372,000.
On one side of the bar, there is a slight hint of rust, while the other side is heavily covered in rust from the iron hull of the ship, with some patches visible on the remaining four sides. This bar was cast in San Francisco, as indicated by the 4,000 series in the serial number, whereas bars from their Marysville office had a 9,000 series.
A May 23, 1855 article from the Daily Alta California is one of the earliest documented partnerships between Justh and Hunter.
In the spring of 1857, an exciting new collaboration was announced involving Justh, Hunter, and Charles Urzay, who had previously partnered with Agoston Haraszthy at the Eureka Gold and Silver Refinery. Unfortunately, Urzay’s time with the partnership was short-lived as he decided to leave on August 15 of the same year.
Less than a year later, on July 5, 1858, Justh and Hunter shared an announcement stating that they would not be accepting any bullion for refining and coinage until further notice. This marked the end of their successful partnership, with S.H. Hunter officially withdrawing from the firm on July 10, 1858.
Kellogg & Humbert became a well-known establishment during the California Gold Rush, reflecting the entrepreneurial drive of individuals like John Glover Kellogg. Born in New York on December 3, 1823, Kellogg received his education at various schools in New York and Michigan before pursuing law studies in Auburn. However, the lure of the Gold Rush prompted him to set off for San Francisco, where he arrived on October 12, 1849.
Kellogg quickly found a job at Moffat & Co., where he oversaw the production of government-contracted fifty dollar slugs. After staying with the firm for four years despite moves and changes in ownership, the company closed down in December 1853 to make way for the new San Francisco Mint opening 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 “Kellogg & Richter.” They immediately started assaying operations and gained the trust of the public.
On January 14, 2022, a Kellogg & Humbert 121.61 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold for $336,000. This ingot is classified as Very Large and is a substantial piece of gold. The top side features the markings: No 951 / K&H hallmark / 121.61 Oz / 897 FINE / $2254.96. The bright yellow-gold surfaces show no signs of rust from the iron ship hull. The ingot was poured into Mold K&H-04, measuring 55 mm x 111 mm.
The Issue with Creating Coins during the Gold Rush Era
One might assume that the vast amount of gold ore being extracted from northern California in the late 1840s and 1850s would mean an abundance of coins. However, Larry Schweikart and Lynne Pierson Doti argue otherwise in their 1998 article, “From Hard Money to Branch Banking: California Banking in the Gold-Rush Economy.” They highlight how the shortage of coins persisted despite the availability of gold, as the United States did not establish a mint in San Francisco until 1854.
As a result, day-to-day transactions often involved using unrefined gold dust, which varied in purity and required weighing for trade. This led to the need for settlers to carry scales and pouches of gold dust, causing disputes over the value based on weight and purity. Private assayers like John Grover Kellogg and Augustus Humbert emerged to provide refined bars, ingots, and coins to facilitate local commerce.
These assayers played a vital role in the California Gold Rush economy, with reputable firms earning trust for producing high-quality ingots and coins. However, not all businesses were successful in providing coins of proper weight and fineness. One such example is the Kellogg & Humbert 160.05 Ounce Gold Ingot, which was recently sold for $312,000. This sizable ingot, belonging to the Very Large Size class, boasts bright yellow-gold surfaces with intricate markings, showcasing the craftsmanship and importance of trusted coinage 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 them to make gold coins due to a shortage in circulation. They ended up producing over $6 million worth of twenty dollar gold pieces. Kellogg continued working in San Francisco until 1866 before retiring to New York for a life of leisure and travel, leaving his mark on the history of the California Gold Rush.
On August 24, 2022, a Kellogg & Humbert 103.96 ounce gold ingot was sold for $240,000. This specific ingot is considered a Very Large Size Ingot and was made in 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. The surfaces are bright and well-maintained, 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 article dated October 23, 1855 from the Alta California newspaper, Humbert was praised as someone who had made significant contributions to the state. Along with John Kellogg, he founded an assaying and coining firm in 1855, which operated until 1860.
Kellogg & Humbert’s reputation was evident when the first recovery of the S.S. Central America in the late 1980s uncovered 341 ingots from their firm, more than any other firm. These ingots ranged in size from 5.71 ounces to 933.94 ounces.
Gorham Blake began his career in mining and assaying at a young age, appointed as the Superintendent of Iron Mines in Vermont at 21. However, he quickly moved west with his brother Frank W. Blake and arrived in San Francisco on May 22. Gorham was hired by Wells Fargo to buy gold dust and in 1853, he became the owner and superintendent of the Shaws Flat Ditch and the Dardanelles Mine in El Dorado County. That same year, he founded Blake & Co. as an assaying company.
On January 10, 2019, a 19.19 ounce gold ingot from Blake & Co. was auctioned off for a whopping $192,000. Blake’s impeccable reputation was built on his assurance to miners that he would make up for any discrepancies in his assays compared to the U.S. Mints. This level of trustworthiness was unmatched by any other assaying company in the area. Not only were his assays reliable, but his ingots were also exceptionally well presented, hinting at a possible circulation intent.
Fast forward to August 15, 2023, and the largest known Blake & Co. ingot weighing 157.40 ounces was sold for a staggering $564,000. This bar falls under the “very large” category and is unique as it is the only one from its mold. The markings on the ingot are laid out vertically, displaying details such as the assayer’s name, weight, fineness, and value. It was poured into Mold B-05, measuring 55 mm x 149 mm.
Independent Assayers
It is a valid question as to why private minters and assay offices were permitted to operate during the Gold Rush era in California. The simple answer is that it proved to be successful. In 1866, John Jay Knox provided a detailed explanation in
The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint
, addressing this query and other related issues. Knox highlighted the following points in his analysis:
Private assayers were able to run their operations in a more cost-effective manner compared to government officials. Additionally, most large quartz mills preferred to handle their own assaying, even if there were government offices in the same vicinity. Highly reputable assayers could demand significantly higher compensation from large mining corporations, often double or more than what the United States paid in salaries. These skilled professionals would earn far more working privately than they would under government employment.
Consequently, the United States tended to attract and retain only mediocre assayers and workers, or those within its employ would resort to unethical means to increase their earnings. This situation put the United States assay officers at risk of facing similar accusations of unfairness and misconduct that were sometimes leveled against private individuals.
Blake & Co. MS 96.62 Ounce Gold Ingot
was auctioned on August 14, 2019, fetching a price of $384,000. Engraved with the details “No. 5212 / BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO / 96.62 Oz / 899 FINE / VALUE / $1795.58,” this ingot was cast in mold B-04, resulting in dimensions of 55 x 124 mm and 25 mm thick. Each side of the ingot displays a striking coppery-colored encrustation from the rusted iron hull of the ship. This large-sized ingot from Blake & Co. is a rare and significant find.
Blake & Co. sold a 19.15-ounce gold ingot on April 25, 2019 for a whopping $168,000. The ingot, which is almost square in shape and measures 42 x 52 x 13mm, was poured from Mold B-02. In total, Blake & Co. used only five fixed-sized molds for their ingots, including the adjustable length “Twix Mold.” Mold B-02 is the smallest of these fixed-size molds. The top face of the ingot features the inscription: BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO / 892 FINE / VALUE / $353.11.
The surfaces of the Blake ingots were meticulously crafted with a polished finish, almost resembling a mirror-like shine. The edges were also carefully beveled, indicating that these bars may have been designed for use as a form of currency.
Established in 1855, Blake and Agrell’s assay office in Sacramento was short-lived, lasting less than two months. The following company in Sacramento was strategically located closer to the gold fields than the majority of assayers in San Francisco, leading to a steady flow of business. Blake & Co. faced competition from only one local rival, Harris, Marchand & Co.
Both companies were situated on J Street. In 1856, Blake & Co. analyzed 200,000 ounces of gold, with the purity of the ore varying based on where it was mined. The highest purity came from Michigan Bluff at $20.15 per ounce, while the lowest was from Carson Valley at $12.13 per ounce.
The gold in this specific bar is of a higher grade compared to others in the region, valued at $18.43 per ounce. The quality of the ore is further confirmed by the fineness marked on the bar, which is 892 Fine.
Henry Hentsch’s ingots are considered rare and are only surpassed by those of Blake & Co. A total of 38 Hentsch ingots were discovered in both salvage operations (in the late 1980s and 2014), with an additional five ingots found in the 2014 recovery efforts.
Among the five assaying firms involved in the two major salvage operations of the S.S. Central America, Harris, Marchand, and Henry Hentsch had international reputations.
Desiré Marchand was granted his own assayer’s stamp at a young age, while Henry Hentsch came from a well-known Swiss banking family. Despite having the option to stay in Switzerland and continue with the family business, Hentsch chose to seek adventure and new opportunities. Q. David Bowers describes Hentsch as someone who, despite being wealthy, wanted to explore more.
Hentsch arrived in San Francisco in May 1854 and set up a small banking office, utilizing his extensive banking experience dating back to 1842 in Switzerland. His international connections played a crucial role in attracting bullion depositors, as he listed references from various European banks and gold dealers.
With a solid reputation in Europe, Hentsch carved out a niche market in the assaying and transportation of gold to global markets, competing mainly with Desiré Marchand. His status was further elevated when he was named the official consul for Switzerland in 1859.
A recent sale on May 5, 2022, saw a Henry Hentsch 238.84 ounce gold ingot fetch $540,000. The ingot, cast from mold HH-06, bears Hentsch’s name and details on one side, showcasing a uniform yellow-gold color.
Henry Hentsch, a citizen of Switzerland, made his way to San Francisco on May 31, 1854 aboard the ship S.S. Sonora. As per Dave Bowers, he came from a well-known banking family and was born on July 23, 1818. Hentsch soon made a name for himself in San Francisco through his involvement in banking, real estate, and various other ventures, including assaying.
In 1854, at the age of 36, Henry Hentsch had gained substantial experience working for Hentsch & Cie, the family business in Switzerland, since 1842. It was only natural that he expanded his operations by establishing an Assay Office in San Francisco, as announced in the Alta California newspaper on February 2. The newly added Assay Office, located at the Northwest corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets, aimed to provide efficient services in various aspects of the business. With a personal guarantee of accurate assays and prompt execution of all orders, Hentsch was ready to excel in this venture. One of his notable achievements was the sale of a 154.23 ounce gold ingot on November 8, 2018, fetching a remarkable price of $336,000. This particular ingot, classified as a Very Large Size Hentsch ingot, was the fifth largest one recovered from the S.S. Central America. The top side bore the usual vertical layout with details such as the serial number, purity, Hentsch’s name, weight, and value.
The back side of the ingot shows the same font and size for the ingot number as the top side. You can see noticeable rust incrustation from the ship’s hull mainly on the long left side, with less on the top and back sides. The measurements of the ingot are 58 x 158 x 31 mm.
In contrast to many immigrants who came to the United States in the 19th century, Henry Hentsch always held onto his Swiss identity and eventually returned to Geneva to run the family’s office there. However, his Swiss-American bank, with a capitalization of $2 million in 1873, remained based in San Francisco under the management of his partner, Francis Berton.
The Henry Hentsch 176.25 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold for $324,000 on September 5, 2019. It is a very large ingot measuring 57 x 157 x 33 mm. The imprints, including No 3213 / 894 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 176.25 / $3257.20, are all located on the top side and are well-spaced.
The success of a private assayer in San Francisco was based on the reputation of the owners. Hentsch, a banker and assayer, had his assaying office situated next to his bank on Montgomery and Jackson streets. Hentsch, a Swiss national, had established a strong reputation in Europe before coming to San Francisco, which helped boost his banking and assaying business in California. He advertised the issuance of Bills of Exchange in various international cities like New York, Liverpool, London, and Paris.
On August 15, 2023, a 119.45-ounce gold ingot from Hentsch was sold for $300,082.80. This particular ingot falls under the “Very Large” size category and is one of the largest Hentsch ingots ever found. Only five Hentsch ingots were recovered in 2014, making this one quite rare. The ingot is vertically oriented with the inscriptions No 3225 / 873 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 119.45 / $2155.65 evenly spaced. The surfaces of the ingot have maintained their original yellow-gold hue, with sporadic flecks and streaks of reddish patina scattered around.
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 for a period. He went back to Switzerland in 1868 to oversee the family bank, entrusting Berton to manage things in California until his bank merged with the Swiss-American Bank in 1873. Hentsch passed away in Geneva in 1905 at the age of 87.
Harris, Marchand MS & Co. had 32 gold ingots discovered among the treasures of the S.S. Central America. The firm operated assay offices in Sacramento and Marysville, California, with bars ranging from a small 9.87-oz bar worth $158.53 (in 1857) to a hefty 295.20-oz bar valued at $5,351.73 (in 1857).
The company known as Harris, Marchand was a unique Gold Rush California firm that stood out by using a coin-like hallmark on their ingots. The duo behind this operation consisted of Harvey Harris, a Danish individual in his early 40s, and Desiré Charles Marchand, a young French-speaking Belgian who later became an American citizen. Harris had previously worked for Justh & Hunter and Kellogg & Co., who were also involved with gold ingots found in the S.S. Central America treasure. Marchand, who was very young when the firm was established, highlighted his credentials from the Mint of Paris in their advertisement, perhaps due to his lack of extensive work experience at such a young age.
One of their notable pieces, the Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 174.04 Ounce Gold Ingot, was auctioned off on January 31, 2019 for an impressive $528,000. The ingot, numbered as No. 7095, featured the Harris, Marchand oval name punch with a coin-like hallmark and the weight of 174.04 oz. Below the hallmark was the fineness of 942 FINE. This ingot serves as a reminder of the unique and intriguing history behind the Harris, Marchand firm in Gold Rush California.
Located in the middle of the top side is the marked value of the ingot from 1857: $3389.06. The back of the ingot has a polished look, likely achieved by tapping. The ingot is slightly trapezoidal in shape, most likely designed this way for easy retrieval from the mold. The dimensions of the ingot are 65 x 177 x 25 mm.
Charles L. Farrington, a native of Maine, was a member of the firm but not much else is known about him in the book California Coiners & Assayers. It is mentioned that he retired from the company according to a news article from the Sacramento Union dated May 30, 1857. The reason for his retirement is not specified, but it could have been due to his age. The business carried on without him as Harris & Marchand Assayers. An ingot from Harris, Marchand MS & Co. weighing 55.05 ounces was sold for $172,500 on February 5, 2010. Similar to other known ingots from the company, this one also has uneven markings on the serial number, weight, fineness, and value. However, the HARRIS MARCHAND & CO inscription and MARCHAND / ESSAYEUR stamp are still precise and stylish.
The gold ingot shines brightly in a yellow-gold hue, displaying typical casting imperfections on most sides while having a smoother bottom compared to others. The corners are cut on the upper left and the diametrically opposite corner on the top face. Its dimensions are 42 x 112 x 20 mm.
Among the numerous gold ingots that were lost in the unfortunate sinking of the S.S. Central America, the ingots of Harris, Marchand & Co. were relatively unknown until the late 1980s when the shipwreck was salvaged. A total of 37 Harris, Marchand ingots were recovered from the wreckage, with this particular ingot being the only one from their Marysville branch office, as the rest were from their main Sacramento office.
The Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 17.48 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold on March 14, 2019, for $144,000. This ingot is of a small to medium size, almost square in shape, with inscriptions present on the top face that read: No 6508 / H&M logo / H&M hallmark / 17.48 OZ. / 885. FINE / $319.78. While most of the surfaces gleam in yellow-gold, there are remnants of iron ore rust from the ship’s hull adhering to the lower part of the back side, along with minor rust spots on the lower left corner. The ingot measures 40 x 50 x 12 mm.
Even though the company Harris, Marchand & Co. folded before June 1857, the gold bars they stamped with their mark continued to hold value. Around thirty-six bars from their Sacramento office ended up on the S.S. Central America. Instead of being sent to New York for melting, they ended up at the bottom of the ocean. Over time, these bars turned into valuable historical artifacts. Learn more about this fascinating story at Heritage Auctions or check out the source at westernmininghistory.com.
