Gold Rush Auction

Auction Details

Welcome to our Gold Rush sale of 2018!!

The sale features the Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection
and a number of other prominent collections.

Mr. Adams has been collecting for over 40 years, and along the way assembled perhaps the best collection in private hands, making this sale a “Once in a Lifetime Event.” His specialty is an area few Americans ever knew about- the Georgia - North Carolina gold rush, c1799-1840’s, literally decades before the California Gold Rush. Just think about some of the great pieces in this collection:

*The first Gold Company stock certificate (1807)

*1830 Letter from Georgia Bank to US Mint asking what to do with the gold coming in

*Gold Lottery Tickets for Georgia land

*Gold Lot Deeds with Medals rarely seen by collectors

*Pigeon Roost Mining Co. scrip collection (1835-1838), possibly the finest assembled

*Belfast Mining Co. scrip collection (1830’s), finest assembled

*Dahlonega, Charlotte, San Francisco, Carson City, Denver, New Orleans, Philadelphia Mint gold bullion receipts

*Gold Rush era private assayer bullion receipts from California, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Arizona

*1840’s, 1850’s and 1860’s mining company stock certificates from both the east (Appalachian gold belt) and the West (California, Nevada, Colorado) – the best offering to date.

*Over two dozen different Nevada territorial stock certificates.

These tidbits are part of this unique sale, which makes it the best offering of its kind in history.

The Gold Rush sale is nothing short of phenomenal.

The Gold Rush Setting

Here is the setting under which the gold discoveries in Georgia and North Carolina were made:

…Imagine a world before the civil war, before the gold rush, right after the United States was formed. We had just created our first coinage in the early to mid 1790’s. As a country, we had just 16 states by 1800, which crept up to 24 states by 1821 and remained there for 15 years! Development of the areas south and west of and in the original 13 states was slow. It was called the “western frontier”. The “America” then consisted of Native Americans and expats from western Europe looking for a better life. Most were farmers or merchants. The “scientists” of the western world remained in western Europe. Mankind dint know much about geology- indeed, the first geologic map was printed in Europe in 1799, and it would take another 25-30 years before we had anything similar in America. The science of ore deposits was not well understood, and was only just recently out from under the mystique of Alchemy.

Enter the discovery of a gold nugget in North Carolina in 1799. It took fully 29 years before substantive gold discoveries were made in Georgia and North Carolina. Here is the amazing part- these discoveries were made from good-old American ingenuity. Not one single miner had an education in mining in Europe. As far as is known, not a single man in the Georgia, North Carolina gold rush had been a miner. These men developed the ability to look for gold and mining systems on their own in the American wilderness, a marvelous feat of accomplishment – a true iconic part of American ingenuity at its best.

More on the Auction

To add to this remarkable collection are hundreds of mining artifacts, including many collected from Georgia mines, as well as a fantastic Numismatic library inclusive of many rarities.

*Other collections featured include the collection of Robert Bennett, a well known mining geologist who spent a good part of his career working the Goldfield district. During his 45-plus year career, he collected high grade ore specimens from many major mines he was lucky enough to work on, and these are dutifully included in this sale, as are gold and fabulous turquoise specimens from longtime collector Jerry Gray of Carson City.

*Our friend Vern Potter, a national ephemera dealer known to all, retired from the business and gave us his massive collection, some of which is here, including gold rush era exchanges, important maps, and special documents you haven’t seen in decades (more in coming sales!). Added to this are pieces from the Ken Prag Collection, which keeps on coming with great rarities!

*Gold rush era coins, such as a complete Hart gold token set, -all graded and holdered; a number of Carson City coins; a fabulous 999 fine golden egg custom made for an Arizona collector in 1982; gold rush era soda bottles in hues of cobalt blue, teal, green from San Francisco, Sacramento and Savannah; Nevada mining camp bottles; Pawnee Bill full color posters – an integral part of Western history all supplement an otherwise terrific sale; and choice western mining photographs.

*Rare books with a mining theme are also present, from several collections, including the Robert Fulton collection (former head of Univ. Nevada, reno in the 1920’s). A key piece from one of the collections is an inscribed Sutro Tunnel book to Melville Atwood from the “Father of Arizona” Charles D. Poston.

*The mining stock certificate collections offered here are among the best ever offered by us. They include four major collections. including the Laguna Collection of rare Arizona stocks, part of a major Bodie collection, antique firearms, and rare Tahoe gaming chips.

*Western revenue checks with a focus on the Comstock Lode

Auction Schedule

Day One (Lots 1000-1755)
Numismatics (1000-1577)
U.S. Mint (1000-1068)
Coins & Coins Collectibles (1069-1208)
Ingots (1209-1215)
Currency, Scrip, & Currency Collectibles (1216-1357)
Checks & Exchanges (1358-1424)
Tokens (1425-1489)
Medals (1490-1553)
Scales (1554-1581)

Wells Fargo & Other Express (1582-1693)
Adams & Co. (1582-1606)
Wells Fargo (1607-1676)
Other Express (1677-1693)

World’s Fair & Expositions (1694-1707)

Gaming (1708-1728)

Jewelry & Watches (1729-1755)


Day Two (Lots 1756-1770) & (Lots 2000-2731)
Gold Nuggets & Specimens (1756-1770)
Minerals (2000-2149)
Mining Part I (2150-2731)
Assay (2150-2278)
Explosives (2279-2291)
Mining Lighting (2292-2298)
Mining Artifacts & Tools (2299-2231)
Mining Art (2232-2354)
Geographic (Alabama-California) (2355-2731)

Day Three (Lots 3000-3727)
Mining Part II
Geographic (Colorado-Foreign) (3000-3691)
Books (3692-3727)

Day Four (Lots 4000-4717)
Bottles (4000-4094)
Railroadiana (4095-4222)
Passes (4095-4176)
Ephemera (4177-4222)
Civil War (4223-4259)
Pawnee Bill Broadsides (4260 & 4261)
Firearms & Weaponry (4262-4315)
General Americana feat. California & Georgia Gold Rush Ephemera
Geographic Sort (4316-4637)
Miscellaneous incl. Art, General Store, Maps, & Books (4638-4717)





SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be reinvoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require sp...
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The US Branch at Dahlonega, Georgia:: Its History and Coinage1040 - The US Branch at Dahlonega, Georgia:: Its History and Coinage
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcover 119 pages plus index (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: Location: Dahlonega, Georgia HWAC# 58614
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to L******1 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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7 Different Dahlonega Mint Building Photos Group1041 - 7 Different Dahlonega Mint Building Photos Group
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unframed 14" x 11" miner panning for gold. Framed photo of Dahlonega US Mint with soldiers standing guard c. 1877, 99/500. Frame 12" ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to g***n for (425.00 + 106.25BP) = 531.25
 
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Carson City Mint Payroll for July 1866 for Building the Mint1042 - Carson City Mint Payroll for July 1866 for Building the Mint
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Quite possibly the best Carson City Mint document we've ever handled. Lists 49 employees, their name, occupation, number of days worked, wage, t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 10,000.00
Sold to g***n for (7,000.00 + 1,750.00BP) = 8,750.00
 
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Original Carson City Mint Mammoth Photo Print, c.18681043 - Original Carson City Mint Mammoth Photo Print, c.1868
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Original mammoth photo print of the US Mint in Carson City, NV. Drawing by A. B. Mullett. A duo of oxen attached to a cart are laying down in front of
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 10,000.00
Sold to r*******0 for (4,500.00 + 1,125.00BP) = 5,625.00
 
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Carson City Mint Original Brass Stencil1044 - Carson City Mint Original Brass Stencil
Holabird Western Americana Collections
You will never see this again! An original brass template for the "Assistant Treasurer / from U. S. Mint, Carson City, Nevada." Also says ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 3,000.00 | Estimate : 6,000.00 - 10,000.00
 
 
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Carson City Mint Receipt for 8,800 Ounce Silver Deposit, 18741045 - Carson City Mint Receipt for 8,800 Ounce Silver Deposit, 1874
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extremely rare Carson City Mint form. United States Mint, Carson City (printed), February 17th, 1874. Received of F.D. Hetrick, Superintendent U.S. Mi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to d**********3 for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Rare Carson City Mint Form Re: Potosi Mine in Virginia City1046 - Rare Carson City Mint Form Re: Potosi Mine in Virginia City
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare interrogatories from the Director of the Mint via Carson City, NV mint dated 1899 requesting production report from the Potosi Mine in Virginia C
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to g*****t for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Carson City Mint Gold Bullion Deposit Memorandum, 18871047 - Carson City Mint Gold Bullion Deposit Memorandum, 1887
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Memorandum of Gold Bullion deposited at the Carson City Mint by Chas. H. Peters on Nov. 15th, 1887. One bar, 30.40 ounces, .618 fineness gold, .318 fi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 180.00 - 360.00
Sold to d*****4 for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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1888 Carson City Mint Assay Report for Charles H Peters1048 - 1888 Carson City Mint Assay Report for Charles H Peters
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Carson City Mint assay. For a "fine silver bar". 428 ounces. .946 fineness. Signed by WG Thompson. Charles H Peters was a longtime Carson ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to g*****t for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Carson City Mint Bullion Documents1049 - Carson City Mint Bullion Documents
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6. 1) Silver Bullion Deposit Memorandum dated 1890 by Rock Point Mill, Savage Mining Company. 7,457 ounces of amalgam producing two bars (3,872
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 125.00 | Estimate : 250.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposit by Silver City Mine, 18901050 - Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposit by Silver City Mine, 1890
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Memorandum of Silver Bullion Deposited at the Mint of the United States by the Justice Mining Company (a mine in Silver City) on Dec. 15, 1890. One ba
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 500.00
Sold to g*****t for (125.00 + 31.25BP) = 156.25
 
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Gold Hill Assay Office Silver Bullion Deposit at the Carson City Mint, 18901051 - Gold Hill Assay Office Silver Bullion Deposit at the Carson City Mint, 1890
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two great Comstock pieces. A bullion memorandum dated Jan. 23, 1890 for the Gold Hill Assay Office (W.S. James Assayer) for a deposit by the Justice M
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*****s for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Gold Hill, Nevada Bullion Deposited at the Carson City Mint, 18901052 - Gold Hill, Nevada Bullion Deposited at the Carson City Mint, 1890
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two pieces attached. Top sheet is Memorandum of Bullion Deposited for Assay at the Gold Hill Assay Office by the Justice Mining Company, Sept. 27, 189
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to W****l for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposits by Justice Mining Co., Silver City, Nevada1053 - Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposits by Justice Mining Co., Silver City, Nevada
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. Both are Memorandums of Silver Bullion deposited in 1891 at the Carson City Mint by CH Peters for the Justice Mining Co. One deposit is 3,26
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*****4 for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposits by Washoe Mill, Silver City, Nevada1054 - Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposits by Washoe Mill, Silver City, Nevada
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two Memorandums of Silver Bullion deposited at the Carson City Mint in 1891 by CH Peters for the Washoe Mill. One bar is 440 ounces, .944 fineness sil
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to W****l for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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1903 Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposit from Silver City Mill1055 - 1903 Carson City Mint Silver Bullion Deposit from Silver City Mill
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Memorandum of Silver Bullion deposited at the Mint of the United States at Carson City, Nevada. Jan. 27, 1903. Attached is a slip indicating this depo
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to W****l for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Two Silver City Bullion Deposits at Carson City & San Francisco Mints1056 - Two Silver City Bullion Deposits at Carson City & San Francisco Mints
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two different Bullion Deposit forms for the Donovan Reduction Works, which was a Silver City, Nevada mining operation. One form is to the Carson City
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to W****l for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Rare Bullion & Exchange Bank Gold Deposit Card (Carson City Mint?)1057 - Rare Bullion & Exchange Bank Gold Deposit Card (Carson City Mint?)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unusual and very rare. This is a Gold Deposit card, US Mint Service Form No. 76 C. (c.1898). It is unused, but the reverse of the card has a note: &...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to B*********g for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Carson City Mint Coin Bags (60)1058 - Carson City Mint Coin Bags (60)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
60 unused appearing canvas bags stamped US MINT / CARSON CITY / NEVADA. Approx 11" x 5" plus top tie strings. Some have toning. Nice lot o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to R****u for (900.00 + 225.00BP) = 1,125.00
 
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Charlotte, North Carolina Mint Assay Memorandum, 18541058a - Charlotte, North Carolina Mint Assay Memorandum, 1854
Holabird Western Americana Collections
January 15, 1854 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited at the Branch Mint at Charlotte, North Carolina by William A. Lucas. Signed by WF Strange for ac
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to r*******l for (4,000.00 + 1,000.00BP) = 5,000.00
 
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