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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"Catalogue of the Mineral Localities of South Carolina" by Eable Sloan3600 - "Catalogue of the Mineral Localities of South Carolina" by Eable Sloan
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A definitive South Carolina mining resource. 505 pages. 9 x 6". Fold-out map (12 sections) is attached and in pristine condition. Indeed, chart...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to n********d.. for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Dakota Territory Mining Certificates (3)3601 - Dakota Territory Mining Certificates (3)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Golden Gate Gold Mining-Whitewood Quartz Mining District, #61 i/u to Geo Haven 1879, 1000 shares, pretty gold printing 2)Fort Meade Silver Mining #
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to a****y for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Dakota Territory Mining Certificates including JB Haggin Signature (3)3602 - Dakota Territory Mining Certificates including JB Haggin Signature (3)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Homestake Mining-Whitewood Mining District #2131 i/c to Alex Clark 1879 10 shares signed by JB Haggin president. 2) Father de Smet Consolidated Gol
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to a****y for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Buckeye Placer Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Spearfish, D.T., 18863603 - Buckeye Placer Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Spearfish, D.T., 1886
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in Dakota Territory. No. 28, issued for 200 shares to Anna S.M. Chapin on July 12th, 1886. Signed by president St. John, and secretary Morrell. N
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Sir Roderick Dhu Gold Mining Co. Proof Stock Certificate, c.1879  (Black Hills)3604 - Sir Roderick Dhu Gold Mining Co. Proof Stock Certificate, c.1879 (Black Hills)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. E&MJ Vol 110 locates this company in the Black Hills near the Homestake. The superintendent in 1879 was F.A. Babcock. According to Nug...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to a********n.. for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Five Dakota Mining Stock Certificates3605 - Five Dakota Mining Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 5 different. 1) Great Eastern Gold Mining Co. of New York. Property at Black Hills, Lawrence County, Dakota. Issued in 1879, not cancelled. Min
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******n for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Saginaw Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate, 19073606 - Saginaw Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate, 1907
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Custer County. Inc. in South Dakota. No. 2111, issued for 250 shares to Frank Trenkhorst on March 7th, 1907. Signed by president J.W. Herber and secre
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 130.00
Sold to S*****3 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Branch Mint Mining and Milling Company Bond3607 - Branch Mint Mining and Milling Company Bond
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 186 signed by E Taylor and JD Hardin. Underground mining vignette. 13 x 9.5". Extremely fine. The mine is in the Deadwood area in Bear B...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 80.00
Sold to r*****r for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Black Hills Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate, Central City, Dakota Territory 18773608 - Black Hills Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate, Central City, Dakota Territory 1877
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Choice. Issued about the same year George Hearst started the Homestake. Inc. under the laws of Wyoming Territory. No. 44, issued for 10 shares to J.S.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Gopher Consolidated Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Dakota Territory, 18803609 - Gopher Consolidated Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Dakota Territory, 1880
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Location: Whitewood Quartz Mining District, Lawrence County, Dakota Territory. Inc. 1879. No. 496, issued for 50 shares to Chas. Girdler on May 3rd, 1
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******n for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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The Addie Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Black Hills, Dakota Territory, 18783610 - The Addie Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Black Hills, Dakota Territory, 1878
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Location of Mine: Lawrence County, Dakota Territory, Black Hills (printed under logo). Inc. April 26, 1878. No. 41, issued for 50 shares to A.A. McCoy
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******n for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Detroit & Deadwood Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate, 18983611 - Detroit & Deadwood Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate, 1898
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in South Dakota. No. 1220, issued for 1,000 shares to Josiah H. Barker on Sept. 16th, 1898. Signed by the president and secretary (Robert Murray)
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Homestake Mine, Lead, South Dakota Real Photo Postcards3612 - Homestake Mine, Lead, South Dakota Real Photo Postcards
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6 different of scenes at the famous Homestake Mine. c.1920s. All unmailed. Views include: Stope Scene; Mucking; $400,000 gold bricks ready for
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to r******d for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Homestake Mining Co Stocks with 2 JB Haggin Signatures3613 - Homestake Mining Co Stocks with 2 JB Haggin Signatures
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"The Homestake Mine was a deep underground gold mine located in Lead, South Dakota. Until it closed in 2002 it was the largest and deepest gold...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to s****c for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Two J.B. Haggin Signed Dakota Mining Stock Certificates3614 - Two J.B. Haggin Signed Dakota Mining Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Homestake Mining Company. Whitewood Mining District, Lawrence County, Dakota Territory. No. 2422, issued for 50 shares in 1880. Signed by JB Haggin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to a****y for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Oro Hondo Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Lead City, SD, 19033615 - Oro Hondo Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Lead City, SD, 1903
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in South Dakota. No. 1252, issued for 500 shares to E.E. Wetzel on May 25, 1903. Signed by the president and secretary. Not cancelled. Brown bor
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c*********p for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Two Different Columbus Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificates, Black Hills, Dakota3616 - Two Different Columbus Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificates, Black Hills, Dakota
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) The Columbus Gold Mining Company of the Black Hills. Inc. in New York. No. 285, issued for 50 shares to R.W. Hamilton on Aug. 3rd, 1880. Signed by
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Two Dakota Mining Stock Certificates3617 - Two Dakota Mining Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Great Northern Gold Mining Company. Inc. in South Dakota. No. 202, issued for 100 shares to J. Templeton on Dec. 10th, 1897. Signed by the vice pre
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8***1 for (120.00 + 26.40BP) = 146.40
 
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Two South Dakota Mining Stock Certificates Plus One Colorado3618 - Two South Dakota Mining Stock Certificates Plus One Colorado
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3. Two are from the area where the famous Homestake Mine is located. 1) The Five Bears Mining Company. Issued in 1904, not cancelled. Three min
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 180.00 - 250.00
Sold to S*****3 for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Dakota Gold Mining Books (4)3619 - Dakota Gold Mining Books (4)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Banker Dahl of South Dakota by Dahl, The Treasure of Homestake Gold by Fielder, Gold in the Black Hills by Parker, Old Deadwood Days by Bennett (Al A
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 40.00 | Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
 
 
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