Heritage Auctions is renowned as the top auction house worldwide for all things collectible, boasting a special collection of gold ingots retrieved from the S.S. Central America wreckage. This piece sheds light on the most precious ingots ever auctioned, delving into the intriguing history of the private assay firms responsible for creating these relics back in the 1850s.
The nuggets of information shared herein were sourced from various listings at Heritage Auctions. The unearthing of gold in northern California in January 1848 marked a monumental moment not just for California, but for the entire nation and those who partook in the ensuing gold rush.
Prior to this discovery, California was a remote and scarcely inhabited region of northern Mexico. However, the find by John Marshall saw it swiftly transition into a key player in the American economy. The sudden influx of California’s gold into circulation even led to a spike in the value of silver, a phenomenon later corrected with the unearthing of the Comstock Lode.
In 2010, an 18.41-ounce ingot from Harris Marchand & Co. was left unsold at an auction. The Gold Rush led to a massive migration westward by Europeans and Americans from the East Coast. As a result, in San Francisco, gold dust was used as a rather awkward form of currency for commercial transactions. The purity of the gold dust differed from place to place, often mixed with brass flakes, causing its value to fluctuate.
The people of San Francisco began to demand a branch mint for standardized coinage, which was eventually granted with the establishment of the San Francisco Mint in 1854. However, even with the mint in place, there was still a high demand for converting placer gold into coins or ingots of various sizes and weights.
In response to this demand, several reputable private assayers, about a dozen in number, emerged to fill the gap. These firms had the ability to quickly convert gold dust into stamped ingots, some completing the process within just 24 hours.
On September 5, 2019, a 14.01 ounce gold ingot from Kellogg & Humbert was sold at auction for $51,600. Assayers’ ingots, such as those recovered from the S.S. Central America, were commonly used as a form of trade due to their popularity and usefulness in transferring large amounts of wealth.
During the 1850s, a significant amount of gold from California was transported to eastern banks along a challenging route that involved travel from San Francisco to Panama by ship, crossing the Isthmus of Panama on land, and then continuing by ship to the East Coast of the United States. The completion of the Panama Railroad in 1855 greatly facilitated the transportation of cargo, including vast quantities of gold from California.
On September 3, 1857, the S.S. Central America set sail from the City of Aspinwall (now Colón, Panama) for New York City, carrying ten tons of gold, 477 passengers, and 101 crew members. However, on September 9th, the ship encountered a hurricane that caused its sails to be torn, water to flood the boiler room, and the loss of power as well as the bilge pumps, ultimately leading to the tragic sinking of the vessel. This event was considered one of the worst American navigation disasters at that time, resulting in the loss of 425 crew members and passengers.
Depicted in a Western mining history painting from 1857, the sinking of the S.S. Central America not only resulted in a loss of gold worth over $800 million at current prices, but also triggered a financial panic affecting the economies of the United States and Europe.
Despite the massive amount of treasure lying at the bottom of the sea, technology advancements eventually lured adventurers to pursue the sunken riches, located 7,200 feet below the surface. In 1988, the Columbus-America Discovery Group led the first successful expedition to retrieve an estimated $100-$150 million in gold, followed by more expeditions recovering additional treasures.
Among the notable ingots salvaged from the S.S. Central America were those from five prominent California private assay firms, auctioned off in recent years. Justh & Hunter, one of the firms, had a significant number of gold ingots recovered in the late 1980s and 1990s, totaling over $7 million in 2021.
Emanuel Justh, a lithographer from Hungary who later moved to San Francisco, played a key role in the operations of Justh & Hunter, establishing himself in the assaying business after arriving in the city. His firm was one of the top contributors of gold ingots salvaged from the sunken treasure ship.
Just a year later, in May of 1855, Justh formed a partnership in assaying with Solomon Hillen Hunter. It seems that Justh’s exit from the branch mint was smooth, as the new partnership received glowing recommendations from U.S. Assayer Agoston Haraszthy and branch mint Superintendent Louis Birdsall. These officials praised Justh’s skills, calling him a competent and trustworthy assayer.
Hunter made his way from Maryland to San Francisco, having previously worked in the shipping industry in Baltimore. Interestingly, he arrived in California on the S.S. George Law, which was later renamed the S.S. Central America. This connection played a role in bringing attention to his firm within the numismatic community nearly 130 years later.
The 7.67 ounce Justh & Hunter gold ingot was auctioned off for $66,000 on August 4, 2020. The partnership flourished quickly, leading to the opening of a branch assay office in Marysville by May 1856, in closer proximity to the gold fields. Justh & Hunter became renowned California assayers, offering a swift 12-hour turnaround on assessed ore. However, the partnership came to an end in July 1858.
Fast forward to January 14, 2022, when a larger 866.19 ounce Justh & Hunter gold ingot was sold for an impressive $2,160,000. This ingot displays a neat layout with the signature curved Justh & Hunter hallmark, denoting its weight as 866.19 ounces of 892 fine gold, valued at $15971.93. Some patches of reddish patina can be observed on its surfaces, having been poured into Mold J&Hsf-15, measuring 87mm x 283mm in size.
Justh ingots came in a range of sizes, from small to massive. The smallest weighed 5.24 ounces, while the biggest, found in the San Francisco office, weighed a whopping 866.19 ounces. This huge ingot is only surpassed in weight by the “Eureka!” Kellogg & Humbert ingot, which weighs 933.94 ounces, making this Justh & Hunter ingot the heaviest from that assaying office worldwide. It is also the biggest ingot ever to be put up for public auction.
To understand how valuable this ingot is today, let’s compare it to the wages of a carpenter in New York City in 1857. Back then, a carpenter earned $1.79 per day, working six days a week for a total of $10.74. With the value of this ingot at $15,971.93, it could pay the weekly wages of 1,487 carpenters.
It’s no surprise that the sinking of the S.S. Central America caused a stir in the financial markets of New York and played a role in the Panic of 1857.
The Justh & Hunter 464.65 Ounce Gold Ingot was recently auctioned off on May 5, 2022, fetching a price of $1,320,000. The ingot has a bright yellow-gold surface, typical of its .912 fineness. An interesting feature of this Extremely Large Size Ingot is the presence of two company hallmarks on the top side, laid out horizontally.
All the markings that identify this ingot can be found on the top side. These include the numbers NO.9521, a J&H hallmark, another J&H hallmark, 464.65 OZS, 912 FINE, and the value of $8759.90. The ingot was shaped using Mold J&Hm-08, resulting in dimensions of 72mm x 216mm with a thickness of 51mm.
One notable characteristic found in Marysville ingots is the small J&H stamp located in the corners where the assay chips were removed. This particular Marysville ingot, part of the 9000 series, is considered the biggest one known to be in existence. The significance of this ingot cannot be emphasized enough, especially for its rarity and its value in studying the Gold Rush era in California.
Marysville, known as the “Gateway to the Gold Fields”
Following the establishment of their assay office on Montgomery Street in San Francisco, Emil Justh and Solomon H. Hunter decided to branch out and open a second location in Marysville, California – a town located 125 miles northwest. The new office was situated in a modest one-story brick building, measuring 20 by 70 feet, on the south side of 1st Street close to the intersection with D Street. Hunter took on the responsibility of managing the Marysville office, while Justh continued to oversee operations at their original location in San Francisco.
Back in Marysville, a bustling town with a population of around 8,000 during the Gold Rush era, properties were valued at a whopping $3.3 million. The town was also home to another well-known assay firm, Harris, Marchand, & Company. In the year 1857, a staggering $20 million worth of gold was sent from Marysville to the Eastern states, much of which was likely in the form of gold ingots like the one showcased here.
The Justh & Hunter 327.97-ounce gold ingot, sold for a cool $564,000 on January 5, 2017, is a true heavyweight belonging to the “extremely large size” category (ranging from 300.01 to 500.00 ounces). This bar is the second-largest attributed to the Marysville office, following a 464.65-ounce ingot. When it was made, this impressive piece of gold was valued at $6,162.78.
Interestingly, neither Justh nor Hunter had much prior experience in assaying, which one might assume is necessary for starting 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 valuable knowledge working as an assistant assayer during the first year of the San Francisco Mint’s operation, it is unclear what qualifications S. H. Hunter had as an assayer. Surprisingly, their lack of experience did not hinder the success of Justh & Hunter.
Reputation and Innovation
In May 1855, Justh & Hunter began advertising in California newspapers, guaranteeing all assays and offering to pay the difference compared to any of the U.S. Mints. Their promotional material even included endorsements from San Francisco Mint officials Dr. Louis Aiken Birdsall and Agoston Haraszthy.
Despite their limited field experience, Justh & Hunter quickly made a name for themselves as a reputable and skilled duo. In February 1856, less than a year into their venture, they received accolades when The Mining Magazine published an article praising their innovative gold refining technique.
The article commended their use of gas instead of a sand-bath in boiling the assays, calling it a revolutionary Parisian invention. This technique had not been previously used in the United States and was seen as a significant advancement in the refining process.
Another testament to Justh & Hunter’s expertise was found in the Weekly California Express in January 1859, which noted the high average fineness of deposits at the San Francisco Mint due to bags of refined gold from their private refinery.
While Justh & Hunter’s partnership ended in July 1858, their legacy lived on through their exceptional refining capabilities, as evidenced by the sale of a 266.97-ounce gold ingot on June 6, 2019, which fetched $420,000. The ingot was marked with the company hallmarks and details of its weight and purity.
The surfaces of this gold ingot shine in a bright yellow-gold hue, with only a hint of patina from its time on the rusted ship’s hull. This rare and significant Very Large Size ingot hails from the Marysville office of Justh & Hunter, making it a unique find in the world of collectors.
Known as the Justh & Hunter 179.50 Ounce Gold Ingot, this piece was auctioned off on January 5, 2017 for an impressive $376,000. What sets this ingot apart is not only its considerable size but also its exclusivity – it is the only ingot ever cast from this specific mold size, making it a one-of-a-kind treasure for collectors.
Adding to its allure is the fact that this ingot still bears evidence of its origins, with rust markings visible on all six sides from the iron hull of the S.S. Central America. For those who collect by mold size, this ingot comes from mold J&Hsf-09, and stands as the sole ingot of its kind.
The arrangement of the devices on the top side of the gold ingot can be a bit challenging to decipher due to the thick buildup of iron oxide. The top side displays the following information: NO. 4250 / J&H logo / 179.50 ounces / 886 FINE / $3287.50. The last two digits of the serial number (50) are also repeated on the back side of the ingot. The dimensions of the ingot are 124 x 51 x 47 mm.
A notable gold ingot from Justh & Hunter, weighing 160.64 ounces, was auctioned on January 13, 2021, fetching a price of $372,000. This ingot stands out for its large size and almost cube-like shape, giving it a unique appearance. Despite its hefty weight, the ingot may seem smaller than expected at first glance. The top side of the ingot is inscribed with the details: NO. 4257 / J&H hallmark / 160.64 OZS 891 FINE / $2958.76.
The upper side of the metal piece has a slight rust smudge, while the bottom side is heavily covered in rust from the iron ship hull, with some patches of rust on the other four sides. This piece was made in San Francisco, as indicated by the 4,000 series serial number, whereas the Marysville office typically used a 9,000 series. An article from May 23, 1855 in the Daily Alta California is one of the earliest records of the collaboration between Justh and Hunter.
The partnership between Justh, Hunter, and Charles Urzay was announced on May 29, 1857, marking a new chapter that promised potential success. Unfortunately, Urzay decided to part ways with the group on August 15 of the same year, leading to a brief partnership. Just a year later, on July 5, 1858, Justh and Hunter declared that they would temporarily halt the reception of bullion for refining and coinage. This decision eventually led to the dissolution of their partnership on July 10, 1858, following S.H. Hunter’s departure from the firm.
Kellogg & Humbert
The tale of John Glover Kellogg serves as a prime example of the Gold Rush era in California and the enterprising nature of those who flocked to it in the 19th century. Born in Marcellus, New York, on December 3, 1823, Kellogg received his education from various schools, including the Homer Academy in New York State, as well as institutions in Kalamazoo and Marshall, Michigan. Despite initially pursuing a legal career in Auburn, New York, Kellogg couldn’t resist the allure of the California Gold Rush and set off for San Francisco, where he arrived on October 12, 1849.
After quickly landing a job with Moffat & Co., Kellogg began overseeing the production of fifty dollar gold slugs as part of a government contract. Over the course of four years, he stuck with the company despite various moves and changes in ownership led by Curtis, Perry, and Ward.
When Moffat & Co. closed its doors on December 14, 1853 to make way for the San Francisco Mint’s opening in April 1854, Kellogg wasted no time. On December 19, 1853, he teamed up with G. F. Richter, a former cashier and assayer at Curtis, Perry, and Ward, to form “Kellogg & Richter”. They quickly jumped into assaying operations and gained the trust of the public.
A striking piece of their work is the Kellogg & Humbert 121.61 ounce gold ingot. This impressive chunk of gold was recently sold for $336,000 on January 14, 2022. Marked with the K&H hallmark, this ingot boasts a purity of 897 FINE and a value of $2254.96. Shining bright in yellow-gold, it shows no signs of rust from its time aboard a ship. Molded as K&H-04, this hefty ingot measures 55mm x 111mm.
The issue of coin scarcity in California following the Gold Rush era is highlighted by Schweikart and Doti in their 1998 article, “From Hard Money to Branch Banking: California Banking in the Gold-Rush Economy.” Despite the abundance of gold ore in northern California during the 1840s and 1850s, the lack of mint in San Francisco until 1854 resulted in a persistent shortage of coins. As a result, daily transactions often relied on unrefined gold dust, leading to the need for settlers to carry scales and pouches of gold dust for trade.
In response to this challenge, private assayers like John Grover Kellogg and Augustus Humbert emerged to provide refined bars, ingots, and coins for local commerce. Some firms established a reputation for producing high-quality products, while others fell short in delivering properly weighted and pure ingots and coins. An example of a successful ingot from Kellogg & Humbert, weighing 160.05 ounces, sold for $312,000 in August 2019. This ten-pound ingot, categorized as Very Large Size, boasted bright yellow-gold surfaces and detailed markings indicating its weight, fineness, and value. The ingot’s dimensions are 63 x 146 x 40 mm, with its serial number engraved on the back.
A few weeks after Kellogg & Richter opened, a group of bankers and bullion dealers from San Francisco and Sacramento asked the firm to make gold coins due to a shortage of circulating gold coins. The production quickly grew to over $6 million in twenty dollar gold pieces. Kellogg continued his work in coining and assaying in San Francisco until 1866, after which he retired to New York for a life of relaxation and travel, securing his place in the history of the California Gold Rush.
An impressive Kellogg & Humbert 103.96 Ounce Gold Ingot was recently sold for $240,000 on August 24, 2022. This large ingot was cast in Mold K&H-04, measuring 55mm x 111mm, with a detailed layout on the top side: No 806 / (K&H hallmark) / 103.96 OZ / 896 FINE / $1925.54. The surfaces of the ingot are bright, with the top side particularly well-maintained.
Augustus Humbert was highly respected during the Gold Rush era in California. Known as the former United States Assayer of Gold in San Francisco, he was praised in an October 23, 1855 issue of the Alta California as someone who had contributed significantly to the state. Alongside John Kellogg, they established an assaying and coining firm in 1855 that operated until 1860.
Kellogg & Humbert’s reputation was solidified when the first recovery of the S.S. Central America in the late 1980s yielded 341 ingots from their firm, ranging from 5.71 ounces to 933.94 ounces, more than any other firm.
Meanwhile, Gorham Blake entered the mining and assaying industry at a young age, becoming the Superintendent of Iron Mines in Vermont at 21. After a brief stint, he and his brother Frank W. Blake journeyed west to San Francisco in 1855, where Gorham started purchasing gold dust for Wells Fargo.
In 1853, Gorham became the owner and superintendent of the Shaws Flat Ditch and the Dardanelles Mine in El Dorado County. That same year, he established Blake & Co. as an assaying company.
On January 10, 2019, a 19.19 ounce gold ingot from Blake & Co. was auctioned off for $192,000, showcasing the high value and reputation of the company among miners. Blake’s commitment to accuracy and trustworthiness by guaranteeing his assay results against those of the U.S. Mints set him apart from other assaying companies.
The attention to detail in presenting ingots with precision and quality was evident in Blake & Co.’s work. Unlike other companies that focused solely on assaying, Blake’s ingots were designed with the potential to circulate, highlighting their versatility and functionality beyond just being tested for purity.
Another outstanding piece from Blake & Co. is the 157.40 ounce gold ingot, sold on August 15, 2023, for $564,000. This ingot stands out as the largest known from Blake & Co., falling into the “very large” category. Its unique design and dimensions suggest that a specific mold may have been created for this exceptional piece. The inscriptions on the ingot are laid out vertically, showcasing details such as weight, purity, and value, adding to its visual appeal and historical significance. The ingot was poured into Mold B-05, resulting in dimensions of 55 mm x 149 mm, highlighting the craftsmanship and expertise of Blake & Co. in producing such high-quality ingots.
Private assaying operations were permitted to thrive in the era of the Gold Rush in California for a simple reason – they were effective. John Jay Knox delved into this matter in 1866 in The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, offering insight into the rationale behind allowing private minters and assay offices to operate. Knox noted that private assayers were able to carry out their work more cost-effectively compared to government officials. Additionally, well-established assayers with reputable credentials often received higher compensation working privately for mining corporations than they would in government service. This led to a situation where the United States was left with subpar assayers and workers, as those in their employ sought to increase their pay unfairly, mirroring the accusations of injustice and fraud sometimes leveled against private individuals in the industry.
In a recent auction on August 14, 2019, an impressive Blake & Co. MS 96.62 Ounce Gold Ingot fetched a staggering $384,000. The ingot, bearing the stamped 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 thickness. Notably, each side of the ingot displayed a deep coppery-colored incrustation, a unique feature attributed to the rusted iron hull of the ship. This Large Size ingot from Blake & Co. is a rare and significant piece that commands attention in the world of collectibles.
On April 25, 2019, a Blake & Co. MS 19.15 Ounce Gold Ingot was sold for $168,000. This tiny, almost square ingot measures 42 x 52 x 13 mm, indicating that it was made from Mold B-02. Blake ingots were made using only five fixed-sized molds, along with the adjustable length “Twix Mold.” Mold B-02 is the smallest fixed-size mold used. The inscription on the top face of the ingot reads: BLAKE & Co / ASSAYERS / SACRAMENTO / 892 FINE / VALUE / $353.11.
The Blake ingots display meticulous attention to detail with polished surfaces that gleam like mirrors and beveled edges. This suggests that they may have been meant for use as a form of currency. The assay office of Blake and Agrell opened in Sacramento in 1855 but their partnership was short-lived, lasting less than two months. Their successor company, located closer to the gold fields than San Francisco where most assayers operated, saw a thriving trade as they competed mainly with Harris, Marchand & Co. in the area.
Both companies were situated on J Street. In 1856, Blake & Co. examined 200,000 ounces of gold with varying levels of purity depending on the mine’s location. The highest purity was from Michigan Bluff, valued at $20.15 per ounce, while the lowest was from Carson Valley at only $12.13 per ounce.
The gold in this particular bar is of higher quality compared to other ores in the area, valued at $18.43 per ounce. The high-grade ore is confirmed by the fineness stamped on the bar, which reads 892 Fine.
Ingots examined by Henry Hentsch are some of the rarest bars recovered from the S.S. Central America, second only to those from Blake & Co. A total of 38 Hentsch ingots were found during both the late-1980s and 2014 recovery efforts, with an additional five ingots discovered in 2014.
Among the five assaying firms represented in the two major recovery efforts of the S.S. Central America, Harris, Marchand, and Henry Hentsch had international reputations.
Desiré Marchand, since a young age, had the privilege of using his own official assayer’s stamp, while Henry Hentsch came from a respected Swiss banking family. Bowers describes Hentsch as someone who, despite being wealthy, craved new experiences and challenges, leading him to venture out of Switzerland in 1854.
Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Hentsch wasted no time in setting up a small banking office, drawing on his extensive background in banking that dated back to 1842 in Switzerland. With his expertise in banking, international connections, and assaying skills, he was able to establish himself in the Gold Rush California market, aided by his reputable references from Europe.
Having established a strong presence in the gold assaying and transport business, Hentsch faced competition primarily from Desiré Marchand. His reputation soared even higher when he was appointed as the official consul for Switzerland in 1859, further solidifying his position in the international market.
One of the highlights 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, stamped with his name and other details, showcased excellent craftsmanship and uniform yellow-gold color, reflecting his expertise in the industry.
Henry Hentsch, a citizen of Switzerland, landed in San Francisco on the S.S. Sonora on May 31, 1854. Dave Bowers notes that he came from a well-known banking family and made a name for himself in San Francisco through his involvement in banking, real estate, and assaying, among other ventures.
In 1854, at the age of 36, Hentsch had gained extensive experience working in the family business in Switzerland since 1842, making him well-suited to venture into the banking industry. In the February 2 issue of the Alta California newspaper, Hentsch proudly announced the opening of his Assay Office at the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. He assured customers of his dedication to prompt service and accurate results. The historic Henry Hentsch 154.23 Ounce Gold Ingot, sold for an impressive $336,000 on November 8, 2018, is recognized as one of the largest recovered from the S.S. Central America. The ingot bears the usual markings, including the fineness details, Hentsch’s name, weight, and value.
The serial number is replicated on the rear side of the ingot in the same style and size as the front. Visible staining from the ship’s corroded hull is evident on the lengthy left side, with slight marks on the top and back. The dimensions of the ingot are 58 x 158 x 31 mm.
In contrast to many immigrants who came to America in the 1800s, Henry Hentsch maintained his Swiss identity throughout his life and eventually returned to Geneva to run the family business there. However, his Swiss-American bank, with a capital of $2 million (as noted in 1873), remained based in San Francisco and was overseen by his partner, Francis Berton.
Henry Hentsch’s 176.25 ounce gold ingot was sold for $324,000 on September 5, 2019. This ingot is of considerable size, measuring 57 x 157 x 33 mm. The markings, including “No 3213,” “894 FINE,” “Hy HENTSCH,” “Oz 176.25,” and “$3257.20,” are all located on the top side and are spaced out evenly.
The success of private assayers in San Francisco relied heavily on the reputation of the owners. Hentsch, a Swiss citizen who also worked as a banker, had his assaying office conveniently located next to his bank on the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. Before coming to San Francisco, Hentsch had already established a strong reputation in Europe, which carried over to his banking and assaying business in California. He advertised the issuance of Bills of Exchange in various cities such as New York, Liverpool, London, Frankfort, Hamburg, Berlin, Paris, and Geneva.
An impressive 119.45 ounce gold ingot from Henry Hentsch was sold on August 15, 2023, fetching a price of $300,082.80. This ingot falls under the “Very Large” size category, as it weighs between 100.01 to 300.00 ounces, making it one of the largest Hentsch ingots ever found. Only five Hentsch ingots were recovered in 2014, making this piece even more special. The ingot is vertically laid out with clear imprints: No 3225 / 873 FINE / Hy HENTSCH / Oz 119.45 / $2155.65. Its surfaces still retain most of their original yellow-gold color, with some flecks and streaks of ruddy patina visible here and there.
Henry Hentsch made a move to 120 Montgomery Street in 1858 and dabbled in various business ventures, including owning a theater and serving as the Swiss Consul for a number of years. He returned to Switzerland in 1868 to oversee the family bank, while leaving Berton in charge of operations in California until the bank merged with the Swiss-American Bank in 1873. Hentsch passed away in Geneva, Switzerland in 1905 at the age of 87.
Among the treasures recovered from the S.S. Central America were 32 gold ingots or assay bars from Harris, Marchand & Co. The firm ran assay offices in Sacramento and Marysville, California. The bars varied in size and value, from a small 9.87-ounce bar of 777 fine gold worth $158.53 in 1857 to a large 295.20-ounce bar of 877 fineness valued at $5,351.73 in 1857.
The company known as Harris, Marchand was the sole business in Gold Rush California to feature a coin-like hallmark on their gold ingots. Harvey Harris, a Danish man in his forties, had previously worked for Justh & Hunter and Kellogg & Co., both of which were associated with assayers of gold ingots found in the S.S. Central America treasure. Desiré Charles Marchand, a young Belgian who later became an American citizen, had credentials from the Mint of Paris mentioned in the advertisement. He was quite young when the firm was established, possibly as young as 16, which may explain why he emphasized his credentials rather than work experience. A gold ingot weighing 174.04 ounces from Harris, Marchand MS & Co. was sold for $528,000 on January 31, 2019. The ingot features the number 7095 at the top, the oval name punch with a coin-like hallmark on the left side, and the fineness of 942 FINE on the right side.
The ingot’s 1857 worth of $3389.06 is displayed prominently on the top side of the center. The back side has been smoothed out with a tapping technique, giving it a polished look. The ingot itself is shaped slightly like a trapezoid, likely designed that way for easy removal from the mold. Its dimensions are 65 x 177 x 25 mm.
Charles L. Farrington, the mysterious “& Co.” associate of the California Coiners & Assayers firm, hailed from the sunny state of Maine, though not much else is known about him. All that remains is a brief mention in a Sacramento Union article dated May 30, 1857, which simply states that he “retired from the firm”. Although the reason for his departure is unclear, it is speculated that age may have played a role. Nonetheless, the business carried on without him, operating as Harris & Marchand Assayers.
The Harris, Marchand MS & Co. 55.05 Ounce Gold Ingot, which was auctioned off on February 5, 2010 for a hefty sum of $172,500, features the distinctive irregular punching typically seen on ingots from this renowned company. Despite this, the elegant arcing “HARRIS MARCHAND & CO” imprint and the precise circular “MARCHAND / ESSAYEUR” stamp remain as impeccable as ever.
The gold ingot has a shiny yellow-gold color on its surfaces, with some irregularities from when it was cast visible on most sides. However, the bottom is relatively smooth compared to the other sides. There are cuts on the upper left corner of the top face and on the diagonal opposite. Its dimensions are 42 x 112 x 20 mm.
Before the salvage of the S.S. Central America in the late 1980s, the gold ingots from Harris, Marchand & Co. were not well-known. Out of the 37 Harris, Marchand ingots found on the ship, this particular ingot is the only one from their Marysville branch office, with the rest coming from their main office in Sacramento.
One of the Harris, Marchand MS & Co. gold ingots, weighing 17.48 ounces, was sold for $144,000 on March 14, 2019. This small to medium-sized square ingot features all the inscriptions on the top face, including the serial number, H&M logo, hallmark, weight, purity, and value. Most of the ingot shines in a yellow-gold hue, except for a few spots of rust from the ship’s hull on the back side and lower-left corner. Its dimensions are 40 x 50 x 12 mm.
Even though Harris, Marchand & Co. didn’t survive past June 1857, the gold bars they stamped did endure. Thirty-six bars from their Sacramento office ended up on the S.S. Central America and instead of being melted down in New York, they sunk to the ocean floor. Over the span of a century, these bars turned into valuable historical artifacts, giving them a unique story and significance. Explore further at Heritage Auctions.
