Lot 2212
1857. Kellogg & Humbert gold bar No. 548, 69.72 ozs gold at .893 fine, value at time of issue $1,237.02. A delightful example from these assayers of the California Gold Rush era. The bar itself is an even yellow gold in color, and the surfaces are well preserved. It was cast from mold number KH-03 in the Bowers Gold Rush History book and is plated on the bottom right corner on page 431. Of note is the fineness of this bar, which at .893 pure gold is very high for native California gold, which was usually found well below this fineness. The lower right corner has been chipped off for assay purposes, as has the lower left corner on the back of the bar. Also we note the control number 548 in a different font is located on the back as well. On the face of the bar, the normal bubbles are seen in the surface from the original pouring of the molten gold into the mold. In addition, a few minor scratches can be seen through GG of KELLOGG and into the surrounding fields, perhaps from the violence and tumbling as the S. S.Central America sunk in the hurricane in September of 1857.
As noted in Bowers the Kellogg & Humbert bars are amongst the most numerous of the bars recovered from the wreck, however, both Kellogg and Humbert were very important participants in the California Gold Rush history, and many coins were known from their partnership. With the recovery of the gold from the Central America wreck, numerous bars were also found, much to the delight of many collectors today.
This bar comes with the special leather edition of Q. David Bowers A California Gold Rush History and the new owner will doubtless spend many hours discussing the epic tales of the discovery of gold in California, and the tragedy of the loss of life on the Central America wreck. Truly a fantastic historical relic which will be the centerpiece of an advanced collection.
Estimated Value $75,000-UP.
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| Realized $62,100 |
