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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Charlotte and Dahlonega Capitol Plastics Holders1199 - Charlotte and Dahlonega Capitol Plastics Holders
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Al Adams called it "The Old and the New Methods of Coin Collecting:" The new: A slabbed Roosevelt dime in MS 65 with a PCGS plastic box. ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to R****u for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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U.S. Coinage Collectibles1200 - U.S. Coinage Collectibles
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A lucite letter opener with three Lincoln pennies, two lucite cubes (paper weights) with U.S. half dollar, quarter, dime, nickel, and penny. Two clock
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to t*******X for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Daly Bank & Trust Gold Dust Bag1201 - Daly Bank & Trust Gold Dust Bag
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Compliments of the Daly Bank & Trust. Instituted in 1934 and the name was changed in 1965. 4.5 x 4". Bag is frayed at the seams and becomin...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to R****u for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Money Related Collectibles1202 - Money Related Collectibles
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stock certificates: Branch Mint Mining and Milling Company (Deadwood, South Dakota); McKinley Gold Coin Mining Company (two pieces); canvas bank bag f
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Numismatic Postcards (Mint, Assay, Bank)1203 - Numismatic Postcards (Mint, Assay, Bank)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
One dozen post cards featuring money buildings: U.S. Mint at New Orleans and Charlotte, American Bank Note facility, government mill where paper money
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c********3 for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Coin and Gold Books1204 - Coin and Gold Books
Holabird Western Americana Collections
American Coin Treasures and Hoards by Bowers, hardcover456pp, Wells Fargo Nevada Gold Coin Directory, Gold! Mineralogical Record 1987 (Al Adams Gold
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to b*********r for (55.00 + 11.55BP) = 66.55
 
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Coin Books1205 - Coin Books
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two: "The Crime of 1873; The Comstock Connection" by Robert R. Van Ryzin; hardback, 297 pages, like new. "History of the Unite...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to a******a for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Red Book Collection1206 - Red Book Collection
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Approximately 57 volumes. Includes 1947 to 1979. Duplication of 1953, 1958, 1963 to 1966, 1972 through 79. No 1978. 10+ volumes of blue books, miscell
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to j*******b for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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The United States Early Silver Dollars from 1794 to 1803 by M Bolander1207 - The United States Early Silver Dollars from 1794 to 1803 by M Bolander
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The United States Early Silver Dollars from 1794 to 1803 by M Bolander, third revised edition, and paginated. Key reference on early American dollars,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to r*******0 for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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World Coin Reference Library1208 - World Coin Reference Library
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Includes the two-volume, cased, deluxe library edition of World Coins by Krause and Mishler. Comprehensive catalog of US Paper Money by Hessler, Coins
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 250.00
 
 
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The Goose's Golden Egg1209 - The Goose's Golden Egg
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Spectacular solid gold goose egg. This fabulous artisan's piece was made by Phoenix jeweler George Villa of Goldcraft Jewelers, Inc. in Februa...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 20,000.00 - 40,000.00
Sold to K*****7 for (20,000.00 + 4,100.00BP) = 24,100.00
 
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Six Small Carson Mint Silver Ingots1210 - Six Small Carson Mint Silver Ingots
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Carson City Mint souvenir silver ingots presented by Board of Trustees of the Department of Museums and History and the Docent Council of the Nevada S
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to t********n.. for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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"The General" Silver Bars1211 - "The General" Silver Bars
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of six one ounce silver bars commemorating the Civil War locomotive. Two of the bars are errors, having used the wrong locomotive. (Al Adams Gold
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to C*****4 for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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"The General" Silver Bars1212 - "The General" Silver Bars
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three: two one ounce rectangular bars. One marked "error" (they used the wrong locomotive). Also a round piece appears silver, but...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to f*****E for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Smoky Mountain Silver Ingots1213 - Smoky Mountain Silver Ingots
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two one ounce silver ingots dated 19 71 and 1973. Made by World Wide Coin. (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: Location:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c*****n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Solid Silver Remington "Outlaw" Bullion Art Sculpture1214 - Solid Silver Remington "Outlaw" Bullion Art Sculpture
Holabird Western Americana Collections
.999 silver sculpture titled "Outlaw." Signed in the mold. Casting number 23 of 50. 7 x 5.5 x 2.5". Weight 58.332 troy ounces. This f...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
 
 
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Solid Silver Remington "Bronco Buster" Bullion Art Sculpture1215 - Solid Silver Remington "Bronco Buster" Bullion Art Sculpture
Holabird Western Americana Collections
.999 silver sculpture titled "Bronco Buster." Signed in the mold. Casting number 5 of 50. 7 x 7.5 x 3.5". Weight 67 troy ounces. This...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,250.00 | Estimate : 2,500.00 - 5,000.00
 
 
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$2 Silver Certificate1216 - $2 Silver Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Friedberg #246. Bust of William Windom, Secretary of the Treasury March to November 1881 and 1889-1891. Signed Tillman/Morgan. Uncertified, VF-EF cond
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to 6******n for (1,000.00 + 250.00BP) = 1,250.00
 
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$10 Gold Certificate1217 - $10 Gold Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"Ten Dollars in Gold Coin Payable to the Bearer on Demand" Alexander Hamilton portrait (before the musical), Andrew Mellon signing as Secr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6******n for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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US $1,000 Note1218 - US $1,000 Note
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1934 series $1000 note. SN G00096361A. Raw, probably VG, please inspect. Low serial number, no tears. These notes were withdrawn from circulation deca
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,300.00 - 1,700.00
Sold to b*****a for (1,600.00 + 400.00BP) = 2,000.00
 
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