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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Colt 1849 Pocket pistol parts gun4280 - Colt 1849 Pocket pistol parts gun
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Colt model 1849 pocket pistol that has seen some action and abuse. The frame and trigger guard are of the same serial number S/N 22999X and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to c********r.. for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Colt 1849 Pocket pistol 18664281 - Colt 1849 Pocket pistol 1866
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Colt model 1849 pocket pistol marked on the trigger guard as.31 caliber for 6 shots. All serial numbers match as S/N 28489X including the we
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (650.00 + 162.50BP) = 812.50
 
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Colt 1849 Pocket pistol 1860's4282 - Colt 1849 Pocket pistol 1860's
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This Civil War Colt model 1849 pocket pistol is .31 caliber, 5 shot, and with a 4 in. barrel. It is marked "ADDRESS SAMl. COLT NEW-YORK " ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to r*********y for (425.00 + 106.25BP) = 531.25
 
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Colt .45 caliber Frontier double action model4283 - Colt .45 caliber Frontier double action model
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This wonderful piece is the Frontier model 1878 large frame, double-action, .45 Colt with birds-head grip S/N 1651X. This 5 1/2 in. .45 was made in 18
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to e****i for (1,900.00 + 475.00BP) = 2,375.00
 
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CVA replica 1851 Confederate Navy .44 cal.4284 - CVA replica 1851 Confederate Navy .44 cal.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Confederate Navy is chambered in .44 cal. with a 7 3/8 in. octagon barrel and rebated cylinder. This gun is S/N 42960X date coded to 1999
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to R*********y for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Replica 1851 Confederate Navy pistol .44 cal.4285 - Replica 1851 Confederate Navy pistol .44 cal.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Confederate Navy is chambered in .44 cal. with a 7 1/2 in. octagon barrel and rebated cylinder. This gun is S/N D4340X date coded to 1992
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 250.00
Sold to R*********y for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Replica 1851 Confederate Navy pistol .44 cal.4286 - Replica 1851 Confederate Navy pistol .44 cal.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Confederate Navy is chambered in .44 cal. with a 7 3/8 in. octagon barrel and rebated cylinder. This gun is S/N 55978X date coded to 2008
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 250.00
Sold to R*********y for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Replica 1851 Confederate Navy pistol .44 cal.4287 - Replica 1851 Confederate Navy pistol .44 cal.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Confederate Navy is chambered in .44 cal. with a 7 3/8 in. octagon barrel and rebated cylinder. This gun is S/N 50036X date coded to 2003
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to R*********y for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Replica 1851 Colt Navy pistol .44 cal.4288 - Replica 1851 Colt Navy pistol .44 cal.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Colt Navy is chambered in .44 cal. with a 7 3/8 in. octagon barrel and rebated cylinder. This gun is S/N 54793X date coded to 2007 made b
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c********r.. for (190.00 + 47.50BP) = 237.50
 
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Colt 1851 Navy 2nd Generation4289 - Colt 1851 Navy 2nd Generation
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This 2nd generation (2nd model) Colt Navy is chambered in .36 cal. with a 7 1/2 in. octagon barrel and straight cylinder. This gun is S/N 2131X date o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
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replica 1860 Colt Army 4 screw frame4290 - replica 1860 Colt Army 4 screw frame
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Colt Army is chambered in .44 cal. with an 8 in. barrel and rebated cylinder. This gun is S/N 2533X date coded to 1992 made by Pietta. It
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to c********r.. for (190.00 + 47.50BP) = 237.50
 
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replica 1858 Remington .44 cal. revolver4291 - replica 1858 Remington .44 cal. revolver
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Remington model 1858 revolver is in as new un-fired condition. It has an 8 in. barrel with an all blued frame. The S/N 11961X indicates
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c********r.. for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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replica Charleville .69 cal. flintlock pistol4292 - replica Charleville .69 cal. flintlock pistol
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Charleville flintlock pistol is in .69 cal. with a steel barrel 7 1/2 in. long. This pistol is new and un-fired; the frizzen has never be
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to C*******2 for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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replica Kentucky flintlock pistol4293 - replica Kentucky flintlock pistol
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This replica Kentucky flintlock pistol is in .69 caliber. The barrel is 9 in. long; half octagon and half round at the muzzle and is smooth bore. The
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Single shot .54 cal. Percussion traveler's pistol4294 - Single shot .54 cal. Percussion traveler's pistol
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an antique .54 caliber single shot traveler's pistol. The barrel is 9 in. long and marked St. Ettienne and proofed on the right side. Th...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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non-firing flintlock blunderbuss pistol4295 - non-firing flintlock blunderbuss pistol
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a replica non-firing blunderbuss flintlock pistol. The parts appear to have been made from an original British lock-plate and built around tha
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to G*******6 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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A Pair of reproduction Kentucky Pistols4296 - A Pair of reproduction Kentucky Pistols
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a matching pair of Kentucky pistols; the first 1) made in flintlock ignition S/N 028742 and the second, 2) made in percussion ignition S/N 029
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c********r.. for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Double barrel pin-fire derringer .44 caliber4297 - Double barrel pin-fire derringer .44 caliber
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a beautiful walnut stocked two barrel traveler's derringer. It has hidden triggers that drop when the hammers are pulled to full cock po...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c********r.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Lot Withdrawn4298 - Lot Withdrawn
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot Withdrawn Date: Location: HWAC# 56234
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1.00 | Estimate : 2.00 - 3.00
 
 
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Lot Withdrawn4299 - Lot Withdrawn
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot Withdrawn
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1.00 | Estimate : 2.00 - 3.00
 
 
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