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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Two Canadian Gold Mining Stock Certificates3660 - Two Canadian Gold Mining Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) The Porcupine Imperial Gold Mining Company. Ontario. No. 3555, issued for 1,000 shares in 1915. Not cancelled. Moose vignette. Tape repairs and som
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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American & Mexican Silver Mining Company Mexican $500 Bond3661 - American & Mexican Silver Mining Company Mexican $500 Bond
Holabird Western Americana Collections
We could find no information on this company. Bond number 39. Signed by William Hickok treasurer and Lyman W Gilbert president. Bonded in New York wit
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Arbitrios Mining Co. Stock Certificate Issued to Charles Duisenberg, Batopilas District, 18643662 - Arbitrios Mining Co. Stock Certificate Issued to Charles Duisenberg, Batopilas District, 1864
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare. Inc. Dec. 16, 1863. Location printed at bottom left of certificate: Batopilas District, Chihuahua, Mexico. No. 20, issued for 60 shares to
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to h********h for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Don Enrique Mining Company Stock Certificate, Chihuahua 18883663 - Don Enrique Mining Company Stock Certificate, Chihuahua 1888
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in New York. No. 183, issued for 100 shares to Dora Walton Russell on Sept. 12th, 1888. Signed by Magonn (president) and Barney (secretary). Not
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to a****y for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Galeana Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Chihuahua, Mexico, 18883664 - Galeana Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Chihuahua, Mexico, 1888
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in Colorado. Issued in Gainesville, Texas on Dec. 29th, 1888 for 1,000 shares.Signed by the president (A.L. Mattock) and secretary. Not cancelled
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to a****y for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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The Tecolote Silver Mining Company Stock Certificate, Santa Barbara, Mexico 18843665 - The Tecolote Silver Mining Company Stock Certificate, Santa Barbara, Mexico 1884
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in Colorado. No. 780, issued for 100 shares to J.N.M. _____ on Feb. 13th, 1884. Signed by acting president Chas. L. Bailey and secretary W.T. Hil
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to t*******d for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Alabama San Juan Mining Company Stock Certificate3666 - Alabama San Juan Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 924 to HC McEwan for 17 shares in 1882. Signed by president NH Brown and secretary RW Hallet. In the 1872 Acts of the General Assembly of the
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Don Enrique Mine Stock Certificate3667 - Don Enrique Mine Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stock certificate Number 1089 for 20 shares at $1 each to William E. Bright. Auto signed by president George C Magown and secretary G. Barney. The Do
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to a*******u for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Durango Silver Mines Stock Certificate, San Dimas, Durango, 18653668 - Durango Silver Mines Stock Certificate, San Dimas, Durango, 1865
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in New York. No. 155, issued for 100 shares in New York on Sept. 20th, 1865. Signed by President VanAukin and secretary Garrison. Not cancelled.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 80.00 | Estimate : 160.00 - 250.00
 
 
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The Eva Milling & Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Durango, 18913669 - The Eva Milling & Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Durango, 1891
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in Illinois. Situated at Coneto, State of Durango, Mexico (printed below logo). No. 149, issued for 100 shares to Jesse Byler on April 10th, 189
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to t*******d for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Compania de las Minas de oro y Plata - la Presiosa3670 - Compania de las Minas de oro y Plata - la Presiosa
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 84, 580 for shares 557,896 to 557,906. Signed five people. Green 2c Mexican Stamp is attached. All 20 coupons are intact. Fancy cut on left. 15
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 80.00
Sold to S****2 for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Three Different Guanajuato Cons. Mining & Milling Co. Stock Certificates3671 - Three Different Guanajuato Cons. Mining & Milling Co. Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three different. Inc. in West Virginia. All issued and punch cancelled, 1901, 1902, and 1928. Two have similar design with eagle and snake vignettes.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Magdalena Smelting & Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Oaxaca, Mexico 19073672 - Magdalena Smelting & Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Oaxaca, Mexico 1907
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in New York. No. C3607, issued for 100 shares to Charles H. Dickey on Nov. 12th, 1907. Signed by Henry W. Catlin, president, and K.L. Breeman, as
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Triunfo Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Lower California, 18653673 - Triunfo Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Lower California, 1865
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. January 1863. No. 202, issued for seven shares to T.F. Emmens on March 1st, 1865 in San Francisco. Signed by the company president, Edward P. Fli
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to B*****8 for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Guanajuato Mining & Milling Company Archive3674 - Guanajuato Mining & Milling Company Archive
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 7 items. 1) Book – Mexico’s Treasure -House (Guanajuato) – The Illustrated and Descriptive Account of their Mines and their operations by Percy
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Guadaloupe & Sacramento Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, 1866, Sinaloa, Mexico3675 - Guadaloupe & Sacramento Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, 1866, Sinaloa, Mexico
Holabird Western Americana Collections
First seen by us. Rare Sacramento District in Sinaloa. Sinaloa is located across the Sea of Cortez from the mining district on the east side of Baja.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Jocuistita Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Sinaloa, 18823676 - Jocuistita Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Sinaloa, 1882
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in New York, May 10th, 1880. Location printed on certificate: Sinaloa, Mexico. No. 364, issued for 1,600 shares to T.W. Ward on July 28th, 1882.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to a*******u for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Siempre Viva Silver Mining Company Stock Certificate, Sinaloa, Mexico 1864, Charles Duisenberg3677 - Siempre Viva Silver Mining Company Stock Certificate, Sinaloa, Mexico 1864, Charles Duisenberg
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Ex. Duisenberg Estate. Low No. 2, issued for 3 shares to Charles Duisenberg, company president, on Sept. 15ht, 1864 in San Francisco. Signed by Duisen
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to j*****0 for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Pack Train Real Photo Postcard, Sonora, Mexico3678 - Pack Train Real Photo Postcard, Sonora, Mexico
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c.1904-1918. Not mailed. "Coming from the Mine. Sonora Mex" Four loaded mules, one with a miner on top heading through the desert. Very re...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Triunfo Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Lower California, 18633679 - Triunfo Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Lower California, 1863
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in California January 1863. No. 296, issued for ten shares to Martin Lammers on May 25, 1863. Signed by Edward P. Flint, president, and Henry S.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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