AUCTION  / 

SS Central America Shipwreck Artifacts Auction, Part II (March 2023)

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

Auction Details

Welcome to Part II of the SS Central America Shipwreck Artifacts Auctions!

After breaking world records in the Part I, December 2022 auction, we now present the second and final auction of unique treasure items from this world-famous 1857 Gold Rush treasure ship.

The 420 lots in this sale are split into five sections hosted over two days. Sections 1, 2, & 3 will take place on Saturday, March 4th, 2023. Sections 4 & 5 will take place on Sunday, March 5th, 2023.

The catalog organization is a journey of exploration for our collectors and bidders through this epic treasure ship! Each of five evenly divided sections has a nice cross-section of the various types of items found, such as jewelry, passenger items, ship hardware, brass tags of a varying nature, clothes, and, of course, items from the Gold Room. Each section includes a focus on a specific room/area of the ship, such as the Saloon, Wine Room, Dining Room, Purser's Safe and Gold Room. Each of the five different sections also features two of what we consider to be the ten "key items" in the sale, such as the Sam Brannan gold brooch, Kellogg & Humbert ingot, "Mona Lisa of the Deep" photograph, contemporary counterfeit 8 escudo gold coin, and much more.

The print catalog itself is a “must-have” for every SS Central America collector and historian. In a very special first for any auction catalog, it contains QR codes that will lead you to videos showing recovery of select items by the Nemo ROV! Every section of the catalog contains detailed stories and essays of the people and items. Also included for the first time is a detailed floor plan of every level of the ship with notes by Bob and Fred based on actual experience and archival information, inclusive of the original passenger receipts. These long stories cannot be transferred to the internet bidding sites, nor can the three-dimensional photographs. Virtually none of the information has been previously published. We know you’ll love what you see and read!

This print catalog is available for $100, refunded by a purchase from the sale of $500 or more. The printed quantity is limited. We also have perhaps a dozen catalogs left of the first SS Central America sale in December, also available at $100. (Please see more details about the print catalog at holabirdamericana.com)

We invite collectors to join us in-person at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, where you can meet and ask questions of chief scientist Bob Evans, the “main man” on all four of the recovery expeditions, and Fred Holabird. These two spent 35 and 25 years respectively working on various aspects of this incredible treasure. You can also bid on the phone with one of our agents; or bid online with one of four auction platforms: iCollector, Live Auctioneers, Invaluable, or AuctionZip. The latter three sites may have an additional Buyer’s Premium.

Our friendly staff is ready to help you participate; whether it be to assist in registration, placing an absentee bid, or answering an expert question. Absentee bidding begins Saturday, February 11th. Questions are welcome!
Please call our office at (775) 851-1859.

So now, fellow treasure hunters, please join us on this second and final adventure to the Deep. From the California goldfields to the Atlantic Ocean floor to the Holabird auction showroom, we're thrilled and honored to bring you with us on this journey exploring the recovered stories, secrets, and treasures of the "Ship of Gold."

Happy bidding!

~The Holabird Team & Other Members of the SSCA Project~


Auction Schedule & Table of Contents

Saturday, March 4th, 2023, Sections 1-3
     Section 1: Lots 1000-1088
          Treasures from the Wrong Ship, Site 87
          Easton Trunk Part I feat. the Easton Trunk
          Saloon feat. the Easton Smoking Jacket
          Jewelry Part I feat. The Sam Brannan Brooch
          Gold Room Part I
          Dement Trunk Part I
          Passenger Items Part I
          Ship Hardware Part I: Topside feat. the Ship Porthole

     Section 2: Lots 2000-2079
          Dement Trunk Part II feat. the Dement Trunk
          Gold Room Part II
          Jewelry Part II
          Firearms feat. the Colt 1851 Pistol
          Easton Trunk Part II
          Water Closet
          Medical & Ladies Items
          Passenger Items Part II feat. “Mona Lisa of the Deep”
    
     Section 3: Lots 3000-3086
          Wine Room
          Easton Trunk Part III
          Purser Hull's Safe
          Dement Trunk Part III
          Ship Hardware Part II: Wood & Decorative
          Passenger Items Part III
          Jewelry Part III
          Gold Room Part III feat. Alsop Treasure Box & PMSS Tag

Sunday, March 5th, 2023, Sections 4 & 5   
     Section 4: Lots 4000-4080
          Dining Room
          Jewelry Part IV
          Easton Trunk Part IV feat. the Easton Complete Outfit
          Dement Trunk Part IV
          Passenger Items Part IV
          Gold Room Part IV feat. Gold Mexican 8 Escudo
    
     Section 5: Lots 5000-5082
          Easton Trunk Part V
          Gold Room Part V feat. the Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot
          US Mail Steamship
          Passenger Items Part V
          Ship Hardware Part III: Metallic
          Dement Trunk Part V
          Jewelry Part V
          Finale feat. the Ship’s Model and Nemo ROV
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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Matched Pair of Luggage Tags, SS Central America Treasure [162200]2011 - Matched Pair of Luggage Tags, SS Central America Treasure [162200]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A matched pair of luggage tags, San Francisco to NY Via Panama, #1938 with 5.5" leather strap. 1 tag has a six pointed star. The route started ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to c***2 for (1,600.00 + 320.00BP) = 1,920.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Brooch Frame & Detached Pin, S.S. Central America treasure [149453]2012 - Gold Brooch Frame & Detached Pin, S.S. Central America treasure [149453]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Gold oval jewelry brooch frame, approx. 33 x 48 x 8mm, with separate hinge pin. Bright and shiny gold, 7.51 grams (0.241 ozt). Recovered in 1990 from
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to C*********m for (500.00 + 100.00BP) = 600.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Nugget Stickpin with White Quartz, S.S. Central America treasure [146619]2013 - Gold Nugget Stickpin with White Quartz, S.S. Central America treasure [146619]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stickpin made of a single gold nugget with a small amount of white quartz, 15 x 9 mm, 2.12 grams (0.069 ozt). Pin is firmly attached, and the overall
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to l*******h for (2,600.00 + 520.00BP) = 3,120.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Ring - Plain Polished Band, S.S. Central America treasure [152374]2014 - Gold Ring - Plain Polished Band, S.S. Central America treasure [152374]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Gold ring, size 7, with a plain polished band, 3.63 grams (0.117 ozt). Recovered in 2014 from an unspecified Coin Pile in the port side debris field
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to R********3 for (2,600.00 + 520.00BP) = 3,120.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Nugget Pinback, S.S. Central America treasure [146626]2015 - Gold Nugget Pinback, S.S. Central America treasure [146626]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stickpin made of a single large gold nugget, 32 x 20 mm, 4.5 grams (0.145 ozt). A hinged stickpin was originally attached to a gold hinge onto the bac
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to E********s for (3,100.00 + 620.00BP) = 3,720.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Ring, Missing Stone, S.S. Central America treasure [152391]2016 - Gold Ring, Missing Stone, S.S. Central America treasure [152391]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Gold ring, size 9.75, made with an oval bezel for mounting an oval gemstone. Shoulders have a detailed engraved design, 4.55 grams (0.146 ozt). Prove
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to g******n for (1,900.00 + 380.00BP) = 2,280.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Buckle and Clasp, S.S. Central America treasure [146634]2017 - Gold Buckle and Clasp, S.S. Central America treasure [146634]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Gold Buckle and Ring Clasp, 38 x 33 mm, 3.84 grams (0.1234 ozt). The buckle bar has come loose from its pivots because the tiny (probably brass) pins
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to R********3 for (2,100.00 + 420.00BP) = 2,520.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Earrings - 1 Pair, S.S. Central America treasure [152372]2018 - Gold Earrings - 1 Pair, S.S. Central America treasure [152372]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A pair of gold earrings, 8.31 grams (0.267 ozt). Recovered in 2014 from an unspecified Coin Pile in the port side debris field. Provenance: SS Cent
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to u********y.. for (10,000.00 + 2,000.00BP) = 12,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gold Clip, 14kt, SS Central America Treasure [160566]2019 - Gold Clip, 14kt, SS Central America Treasure [160566]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Gold clip, possible hair clip. Tests at 14kt gold. Very delicate integrant fleur de lis style design. With small slide loop on end. 1 5/8 inch lon
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (1,300.00 + 0.00BP) = 1,300.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Sam Brannan Gold Brooch with Gold-Quartz Pendant, S.S. Central America Treasure [146639]2020 - Sam Brannan Gold Brooch with Gold-Quartz Pendant, S.S. Central America Treasure [146639]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large 18 K gold brooch consisting of a buckle-like piece at the top from which hangs a 28 x 24 x 4 mm piece of gold-bearing white quartz set in a hing
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10,000.00 - 100,000.00
Sold to u********y.. for (41,000.00 + 8,200.00BP) = 49,200.00
 
Details...Bookmark