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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$20 Bank of Darien Note1298 - $20 Bank of Darien Note
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG Very Fine net 25, ink burn, pinholes. Serial number 29, signed by Rus and Kimberly. (1724208-020) (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) D
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to d********r for (750.00 + 187.50BP) = 937.50
 
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$20 Bank of Darien Note1299 - $20 Bank of Darien Note
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG Very Fine 20, stains. Signed by Rus and Kimberly. Serial number 72. (1724208-019) (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: 1835 Loca
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to j********o.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Bank of Darien $20 Note1300 - Bank of Darien $20 Note
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG Very Fine net 25, Stains, Ink Burn. The Bank of Darien opening a branch in Dahlonega was a major statement of the importance of the new U.S. Branc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to R**********0 for (700.00 + 175.00BP) = 875.00
 
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Bank of Darien $20 Note1301 - Bank of Darien $20 Note
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG graded Choice Fine 15, "Previously Mounted, Annotation." Signed by Rus/ Mitchel. Haxby listed GA160G112. Payable at the branch in Dahl...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to j********o.. for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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$20 Bank of Darien Note1302 - $20 Bank of Darien Note
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG Very Good 8 net, repaired pieces added. Serial number 592. (1724208-017) (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: Location: Milled
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to C*****4 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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$50 Bank of Darien Note1303 - $50 Bank of Darien Note
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG Very Fine 20, annotation. Serial number 887. (1724208-023) (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: Location: Macon, Georgia HWAC
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (550.00 + 137.50BP) = 687.50
 
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Promissory Note Branch Bank at Darien1304 - Promissory Note Branch Bank at Darien
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"The Bank of Darien purchased the assay office of Rose & Roswell and made John N. Rose Jr. a cashier for the bank during the period 1833-18...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to c********3 for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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North Georgia Agricultural College, Business Department, 25 scrip1305 - North Georgia Agricultural College, Business Department, 25 scrip
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Clarence M Gordon, Principal. Business sized card. Small tears on corners and hole at center of vertical and horizontal folds. Good Condition. Unusual
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (475.00 + 118.75BP) = 593.75
 
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Little's Store $3 Note Payable in Confederate States Notes1306 - Little's Store $3 Note Payable in Confederate States Notes
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG very fine Net 30 (previously mounted, splits). Railroad vignette. Printed at Mason's Job Office, Rome, Georgia. (1724443-014) (Al Adams Gol...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (1,500.00 + 375.00BP) = 1,875.00
 
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Confederate 50 Cent Note Unknown Issuer1307 - Confederate 50 Cent Note Unknown Issuer
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PMG Good 6, paper damage. "I Will Pay Fifty Cents in Confederate States notes.." Dated December 15, 1862. Printed at Mason's Job Offi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to R**********0 for (450.00 + 112.50BP) = 562.50
 
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Uncut Central Bank of Georgia Note Sheet1308 - Uncut Central Bank of Georgia Note Sheet
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two $2.00 bills (number 1186 and 1187) and three $1.00 bills (numbers 1888, 1189, 1190). When the Bank of Darion failed, the Central Bank of Georgia t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to j********o.. for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
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1866 US Currency of the Revolutions1309 - 1866 US Currency of the Revolutions
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wonderful broadside made for public exhibition in 1866 composed of Georgia Colonial Currency, Confederate notes, Confederate stamps, and original CDV
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (3,100.00 + 775.00BP) = 3,875.00
 
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1842 Illinois & Michigan Canal $500 Scrip1310 - 1842 Illinois & Michigan Canal $500 Scrip
Holabird Western Americana Collections
$100 scrip issued in Lockport, July 1st, 1842. Printed on the reverse of sheets of $1 dollar. Unique. 3.5 x 6.5" (Potter Collection) Date: ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 150.00
Sold to 9***6 for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Rare "Union Military Scrip"1311 - Rare "Union Military Scrip"
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of five. 1867. There are several different styles of this military scrip. This is very plain. But a search on the Internet brought many of the fan
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to j********o.. for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Confederate Currency 18621312 - Confederate Currency 1862
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a tattered but historical Confederate currency from Louisiana dated 1862. A rare piece that will enhance any collection. Date: 1862 Locat
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to a********n.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Manhattan Silver Mining Company Scrip1313 - Manhattan Silver Mining Company Scrip
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two of the seven different denominations ( $1, $3, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100) that the Manhattan issued their miners. They would argue it was intended t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to a********n.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Certified Foreign Currency Collection1314 - Certified Foreign Currency Collection
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of six pieces graded by PCGS Currency. China (2), Northern Ireland, India (2), Japan. Date: Location: HWAC# 61010
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Foreign Certified Currency1315 - Foreign Certified Currency
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two pieces from Georgia, three from Turkey, all certified PCGS currency. Date: Location: HWAC# 61022
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Afghan/Pakistani Certified Currency1316 - Afghan/Pakistani Certified Currency
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Six pieces of PCGS certified currency. Two Pakistan; four Afghanistan, including a Gem New 66 PPQ 1977 500 Afghanis note. Date: Location: HW
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 80.00 | Estimate : 160.00 - 250.00
 
 
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African Certified Currency1317 - African Certified Currency
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Eight pieces of currency certified by PCGS. Egypt, Sudan, Sierra Leone and South Africa. Date: Location: HWAC# 61024
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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