SS Central America Shipwreck Artifacts Auction, Part I (December 2022)

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPREVIEW:

Auction Details

The S.S. Central America Artifacts Auction catalog has 268 pages of detailed treasure stories about the people, jewelry, gold, and goods onboard the famous "Ship of Gold" that sank off the North Carolina coast in 1857 with tons of gold on board. While the coins and nuggets have already been sold and are in thousands of collections around the world, the artifacts are only just now being released, and are presented for the first time in a two-part sale in December 2022 and February 2023. Online auction platforms do not carry the wealth of information found in our printed catalog, inclusive of three-dimensional photographs of the items on the seafloor and a map where many artifacts were discovered. Order your limited-edition printed catalogs today and enjoy the fascinating world of the S.S. Central America treasure.

Part A of this December auction includes artifacts recovered from the actual shipwreck of the S.S. Central America.
Part B, starting with Lot 2000, offered the same day, presents some of the best California and Alaska Gold Rush material ever assembled for auction.

Fred Holabird
Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC

AUCTION SCHEDULE

Part A  - S.S.Central America Artifacts
(Lots 1000-1271)

Ships Provisions (Lots 1000-1080)
Passenger Possessions (Lots 1081-1249)
The Business of Gold (Lots 1250-1271)

Part B -  Gold Rush Era Collectibles
(Lots 2000-2276)

Gold Specimens (Lots 2000-2069)
Mining Ephemera; Jewelry; Rare Books & More (Lots 2079-2276)
SHIPPING & HANDLING: The customer is responsible for all shipping and packaging charges. We offer shipping service as a convenience to our buyers. Items are not shipped until the invoice and shipping charges are completely paid. Shipping costs will be calculated and billed separately after your items have been paid for. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL. Pick up is available from our Reno office, once you have received your invoice post auction
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Cloth Bag Marked "Dimes" from Purser's Safe [159463]1250 - Cloth Bag Marked "Dimes" from Purser's Safe [159463]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Thick cloth bag, 13 x 6", with "Dimes" written in black ink on one side. 6" string on top attached recovered from the S.S. Centr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 and UP
Sold to u*c for (3,600.00 + 720.00BP) = 4,320.00
 
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Gold Bag, S.S. Central America Treasure [150875]1251 - Gold Bag, S.S. Central America Treasure [150875]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Small leather gold bag recovered in 2014 from the Purser's safe of the S.S. Central America shipwreck. It is 6" long, 2" diameter, and...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 and UP
Sold to B*****n for (3,800.00 + 760.00BP) = 4,560.00
 
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Gold Coin Vest, 2014 Recovery [159466]1252 - Gold Coin Vest, 2014 Recovery [159466]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Handmade gold coin vest, sealed in two places with red sealing wax recovered from the Purser's safe found in the S.S. Central America shipwreck ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 2,500.00 | Estimate : 5,000.00 and UP
 
 
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J.L. Polhemus Counterstamped 1856-S $20 Gold Piece, S.S. Central America Treasure [146607]1253 - J.L. Polhemus Counterstamped 1856-S $20 Gold Piece, S.S. Central America Treasure [146607]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Counterstamped US twenty-dollar gold piece, 1856-S, recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. Certified and encapsulated in plastic by PCGS a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 20,000.00 and UP
Sold to g******n for (36,000.00 + 7,200.00BP) = 43,200.00
 
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Cloth Bag that Contained Coins, Nuggets or Ingots [159462]1254 - Cloth Bag that Contained Coins, Nuggets or Ingots [159462]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A cloth bag recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. The bag has a bold, black print identification on the face. (illegible - Spring Valley?
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 and UP
Sold to W****l for (1,050.00 + 210.00BP) = 1,260.00
 
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Cloth Dime Bag from Purser's Safe [159461]1255 - Cloth Dime Bag from Purser's Safe [159461]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large cloth bag that contained U.S. dimes recovered from the purser's safe found in the port-side debris field of the S.S. Central America shipw...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to u*c for (1,100.00 + 220.00BP) = 1,320.00
 
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Pocket Change from the S.S. Central America [151588]1256 - Pocket Change from the S.S. Central America [151588]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A representative sampling of nine unconserved coins gathered from the seafloor around the shipwreck of the S.S. Central America. These would have been
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to g******n for (1,600.00 + 320.00BP) = 1,920.00
 
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Bank of Syracuse, NY, $5, Haxby G12c. S.S. Central America Treasure [158899]1257 - Bank of Syracuse, NY, $5, Haxby G12c. S.S. Central America Treasure [158899]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A rare note from the safe of Purser Hull recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck in 2014. Bank of Syracuse, NY, $5, Haxby G12c. Haxby states
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to F********e.. for (4,400.00 + 880.00BP) = 5,280.00
 
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Exchange Bank, Bangor, Maine, $5, Haxby G8 S.S. Central America Treasure [158897]1258 - Exchange Bank, Bangor, Maine, $5, Haxby G8 S.S. Central America Treasure [158897]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
In 2014, the crew recovered Purser Hull's safe at the S.S. Central America shipwreck. When they touched it with the recovery vehicle's arm, ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to F********e.. for (4,800.00 + 960.00BP) = 5,760.00
 
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North River Bank, New York, $20, Haxby G50c, S.S. Central America Treasure [158901]1259 - North River Bank, New York, $20, Haxby G50c, S.S. Central America Treasure [158901]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
North River Bank, New York, $20, Haxby G50c recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. Significant pieces missing at "N" of north ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to R********3 for (1,150.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,380.00
 
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Paper Wrappings from the Purser's Safe [159455]1260 - Paper Wrappings from the Purser's Safe [159455]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two Dark Gray Course Wove Paper Wrapping w/ String from the Purser's Safe recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck in 2014. Date: Co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 and UP
Sold to J*****6 for (110.00 + 22.00BP) = 132.00
 
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People's Bank $5, Charleston, SC, Haxby G2a. S.S. Central America Treasure [158898]1261 - People's Bank $5, Charleston, SC, Haxby G2a. S.S. Central America Treasure [158898]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
People's Bank $5, Charleston, SC, Haxby G2a. The only South Carolina note in Purser Hull's safe that contained eleven broken bank notes, ost...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to c****1 for (3,100.00 + 620.00BP) = 3,720.00
 
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State Bank of Newark, NJ. $3. Haxby Proof Only. S.S. Central America Treasure [158902]1262 - State Bank of Newark, NJ. $3. Haxby Proof Only. S.S. Central America Treasure [158902]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
State Bank of Newark, NJ $3, which Haxby notes is only known in proof. Stained throughout, but no holes or tears. In November 1853, counterfeit $5 not
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to u*****V for (4,300.00 + 860.00BP) = 5,160.00
 
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Wholesale New York Druggist Envelope w/Contents from Purser's Safe [159453]1263 - Wholesale New York Druggist Envelope w/Contents from Purser's Safe [159453]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Druggist envelope with contents recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck in 2014. Corner advertiser reads // Lazell, Marsh & Hunn Whole...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 and UP
Sold to J*****6 for (275.00 + 55.00BP) = 330.00
 
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Sather & Church Treasure Box, S.S. Central America, 1857 [159483]1264 - Sather & Church Treasure Box, S.S. Central America, 1857 [159483]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Treasure box that contained gold coin and dust from "The Garden of Gold" area. This box was carefully removed by Nemo in parts. The top, b...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10,000.00 and UP
Sold to G*******s for (5,250.00 + 1,050.00BP) = 6,300.00
 
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Original Wax Seal Wax Stick, 2014 Recovery [158836]1265 - Original Wax Seal Wax Stick, 2014 Recovery [158836]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Original stick of red sealing wax, now oxidized to rose color. 3.75" long, 0.5" diameter. This piece was used by people to seal treasure b...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 and UP
Sold to E********s for (170.00 + 34.00BP) = 204.00
 
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Red Wax Seal, Freeman & Co. Express [156840]1266 - Red Wax Seal, Freeman & Co. Express [156840]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Original red wax seal recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. Imprinted with // Freeman & Co. / Express //, round, about 1" diam...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 and UP
Sold to d****9 for (130.00 + 26.00BP) = 156.00
 
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Wells, Fargo & Co. Engraved Treasure Box Lid, 1857 [159480]1267 - Wells, Fargo & Co. Engraved Treasure Box Lid, 1857 [159480]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Crown Jewell of all Wells Fargo Collecting! Wells, Fargo & Co. engraved treasure box lid recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10,000.00 and UP
Sold to E********s for (83,000.00 + 16,600.00BP) = 99,600.00
 
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Dorsey Gold Bag and Passenger Receipt, S.S. Central America Treasure [158896]1268 - Dorsey Gold Bag and Passenger Receipt, S.S. Central America Treasure [158896]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an important trio of original artifacts from the S.S. Central America treasure. Lawrence (or Laurence) Dorsey, a passenger on the S.S. Central
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 and UP
Sold to m********H for (6,750.00 + 1,350.00BP) = 8,100.00
 
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Gold Poke with Leather Strings, S.S. Central America Treasure [150877]1269 - Gold Poke with Leather Strings, S.S. Central America Treasure [150877]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Small leather gold bag recovered in 2014 from the Purser's safe of the S.S. Central America shipwreck. It is 7.5" long and 1.5" diamet...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 and UP
Sold to o********x.. for (3,800.00 + 760.00BP) = 4,560.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Poke, S.S. Central America Treasure [150876]1270 - Gold Poke, S.S. Central America Treasure [150876]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Small leather gold bag recovered in 2014 from the Purser's safe of the S.S. Central America shipwreck. It is 7" long, 2" in diameter, ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 and UP
Sold to u*c for (2,300.00 + 460.00BP) = 2,760.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Leather Saddlebags, S.S. Central America [159110]1271 - Leather Saddlebags, S.S. Central America [159110]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Leather saddlebags recovered from Purser Hull's safe of the S.S. Central America shipwreck. Approx. 10 inches long and about 10 inches wide. The...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 and UP
Sold to F********e.. for (10,000.00 + 2,000.00BP) = 12,000.00
 
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Intermission- 30Minutes1272 - Intermission- 30Minutes
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Intermission- 30Minutes Lots 2000 to 2276 are Gold Rush related items, not from the SSCA Shipwreck.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 5.00 | Estimate : 10.00 - 20.00
 
 
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Gold in Quartz [160072]2000 - Gold in Quartz [160072]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 48.3g, gold weight about 39.3g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Gold in Quartz [160073]2001 - Gold in Quartz [160073]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 52.16g. High gold content by weight. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
 
 
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Gold in Quartz [160074]2002 - Gold in Quartz [160074]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 48.4g, gold by weight 38.3g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,100.00 | Estimate : 2,200.00 - 3,500.00
 
 
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Gold in Quartz [160075]2003 - Gold in Quartz [160075]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 85.77g, gold by weight 35.9g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Gold in Quartz [160076]2004 - Gold in Quartz [160076]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 59.0g, gold by weight 36.7g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,100.00 | Estimate : 2,200.00 - 3,500.00
 
 
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Gold in Quartz [160077]2005 - Gold in Quartz [160077]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 34.7g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to S*********r for (1,800.00 + 360.00BP) = 2,160.00
 
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Gold in Quartz [160078]2006 - Gold in Quartz [160078]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 27.56g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to F********e.. for (1,600.00 + 320.00BP) = 1,920.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold in Quartz [160079]2007 - Gold in Quartz [160079]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 23.1g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,300.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to i********s.. for (1,600.00 + 320.00BP) = 1,920.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Crystalline Gold in Quartz [160080]2008 - Crystalline Gold in Quartz [160080]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian crystalline gold in quartz. Total weight 24.11g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,300.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to i********s.. for (1,250.00 + 250.00BP) = 1,500.00
 
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Gold in Quartz [160085]2009 - Gold in Quartz [160085]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold in quartz. Total weight 25.6g, gold by weight 15.3g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to R***G for (750.00 + 150.00BP) = 900.00
 
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Perth Mint Gold Nuggets, 10 [160086]2010 - Perth Mint Gold Nuggets, 10 [160086]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
10 slabbed gold nuggets from the Perth Mint. About 39 grams of gold. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to r**4 for (2,100.00 + 420.00BP) = 2,520.00
 
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Perth Mint Gold Nuggets, 10 [160087]2011 - Perth Mint Gold Nuggets, 10 [160087]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
10 slabbed Perth Mint gold nuggets. About 14 grams of gold. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,100.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to d*******f for (850.00 + 170.00BP) = 1,020.00
 
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Crystalline Gold on Quartz and Boot Shaped Gold Nugget [160088]2012 - Crystalline Gold on Quartz and Boot Shaped Gold Nugget [160088]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian crystalline gold on quartz 11.76g total weight. Boot shaped gold nugget 2.8g. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Pr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,300.00
Sold to d*******f for (700.00 + 140.00BP) = 840.00
 
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Crystalline Gold Nuggets, 4 [160089]2013 - Crystalline Gold Nuggets, 4 [160089]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
4 Australian gold nuggets, 10.86 grams of gold. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 700.00
Sold to d*******f for (750.00 + 150.00BP) = 900.00
 
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Mostly Gold Nuggets [160090]2014 - Mostly Gold Nuggets [160090]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mostly gold nuggets from Australian. Gold on ironstone 13.6 grams. Nuggets 30.01 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Pro
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,200.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to U**6 for (2,100.00 + 420.00BP) = 2,520.00
 
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Gold Nuggets, 4 [160091]2015 - Gold Nuggets, 4 [160091]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
4 Australian gold nuggets, 20.62 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,100.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to s*********0 for (1,150.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,380.00
 
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Gold Nugget [160093]2016 - Gold Nugget [160093]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold nugget. 14.3 grams weight. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to s*********0 for (900.00 + 180.00BP) = 1,080.00
 
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Small Gold Nuggets [160094]2017 - Small Gold Nuggets [160094]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian small gold nuggets, 18.83 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to s*********0 for (1,000.00 + 200.00BP) = 1,200.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold on Black Quartz [160095]2018 - Gold on Black Quartz [160095]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold on black quartz. Total weight 22.0 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,100.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to i********s.. for (600.00 + 120.00BP) = 720.00
 
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Crystalline Gold Nugget [160096]2019 - Crystalline Gold Nugget [160096]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian crystalline gold nugget. 13.3 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to R**2 for (850.00 + 170.00BP) = 1,020.00
 
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Gold on Quartz [160097]2020 - Gold on Quartz [160097]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold on quartz. 85.33 grams total weight, 15.7 grams gold. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,300.00
Sold to i********s.. for (750.00 + 150.00BP) = 900.00
 
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Gold Nugget [160098]2021 - Gold Nugget [160098]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold nugget 16.8 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to R**2 for (1,100.00 + 220.00BP) = 1,320.00
 
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Gold on Quartz [160099]2022 - Gold on Quartz [160099]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold on quartz, heavy for the size. 43.21 total grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,250.00 | Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
 
 
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Gold on Quartz [160100]2023 - Gold on Quartz [160100]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold on quartz. 46.0 grams total weight, 23.0 grams gold. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to b********a.. for (1,200.00 + 240.00BP) = 1,440.00
 
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Gold on Quartz [160101]2024 - Gold on Quartz [160101]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold on quartz. Total weight 14.87 grams. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 400.00 | Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Gold on Quartz, A Heavy One [160102]2025 - Gold on Quartz, A Heavy One [160102]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian gold on quartz. This is a heavy example for the size, around 50% weight by gold. Total weight 138.9 grams, gold about 89.5 grams. Date:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 2,500.00 | Estimate : 5,000.00 - 8,000.00
 
 
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Crystalline Gold on Quartz [160103]2026 - Crystalline Gold on Quartz [160103]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Australian crystalline gold on quartz. 43.42 grams total weight. Date: Country (if not USA): Australia State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to d*******f for (2,200.00 + 440.00BP) = 2,640.00
 
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