DAKOTA

632. Dakota Territory Gold Dust Payable Note, Central City, Black Hills, Dakota Territory, 1877

This is one of the great western Gold Rush notes, issued from Central City in Lawrence County about the time of the formation of the famous Homestake Mining Company. Central City was in its infancy, as were the neighboring towns of Deadwood and Lead. About one thousand miners had flocked to the Black Hills between 1875 and 1876 after discoveries of gold were announced in the western press. The region was still in conflict from the massacre of Custer’s forces in 1874. Central City sprang up in late 1876, along with others. George Hearst purchased the Homestake for $200,000 about this time, and the huge influx of money drove even more prospectors to the region. By mid 1877 Central City was known around the region for its “Gold Nugget Beer”. Dorr Heffleman managed the only bank in town, the Central Bank. It stood amongst 15 saloons, the most common business in the mining camp, as shown in the 1878 Wolfe’s Mercantile Guide. [ref: Parker, Deadwood,1981]

This is an extremely rare, possibly unique, one dollar note, fully signed and issued payable in gold dust at $18 per ounce. Note No. 82 payable at First Central Bank, Central City, Territory of Dakota, Black Hills. Signed by Dorr Heffleman, Manager. This note measures approximately 7.5 x 3” and is lithographed on both sides by “The Milwaukee Litho. and Engr. Co.” Vignette of three miners working over serial block at left, and the Manager’s name engraved just above the vignette. Printed with black ink on light gold paper with gold under print. There is green print on reverse. Ink stamped serial number. Stack’s described this piece as “One of the great rarities in the Territorial Note field and one of very few Dakota pieces we have seen or catalogued.” This note has a confirmed rarity rating of R8. As Stack’s observed, the folds and stains on this one dollar note clearly indicate it was widely circulated amongst the miners of the Black Hills. This note is arguably one of the most important American gold rush notes, since it was issued in the early days of the Black Hills gold rush before the Homestake mine got into full swing production. Much could also be said about Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane, who were in Deadwood in late 1876, and probably partook in some Gold Nugget Beer in Central City, but that is another story. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $35,000.

633. South Dakota. Homestake Mine Ephemera Collection and Ingots

This is a collection of ingots and ephemera from Robert Reininger, Director of the Homestake Mining Company 1981-1986. Included are his personal money clip coupled to a one ounce silver round commemorating the mine, with an engraved inscription to Reininger on the back of the clip; there are also four ingots from Reininger’s work for ASARCO: 3.61 silver ingot polished and engraved “El Mochito” which includes a similar ingot of 1.45 ounces engraved the same; a small silver ingot engraved Rosario 1985, 1.90 ounces; and lastly an engraved “.999 fine” ingot with Reininger’s name on one edge, and ASARCO on the face, weighing 5.07 ounces troy. The El Mochito mine and the Rosario silver mines are in Honduras. Both were late discoveries, the Rosario in 1938 and the El Mochito at about the same time. Reininger probably worked both of these famous silver mines. $1,550.

634. South Dakota. Homestake Gold Mine Early Photograph, Lead City, Dakota Territory – 1888 – and Book, Homestake, The Centennial History of America’s Greatest Gold Mine, 1977

This is one of the earliest known photographs of the Homestake Mine, America’s largest gold mine. The photo shows a large group of more than 100 men seated and standing, probably all miners. The mine dump is at the left of photo and there is a caption at bottom left that reads: Miners of The Great Homestake Gold Mine. Lead City, Black Hill’s, D.T. – Photo By – Coules & McBride, Deadwood, D.T., 1888. Mounted on original backing. 8 x 10.” Comes with above book by William Bronson and T.H. Watkins, published by the Homestake Mining Co., San Francisco, 88 pgs. Photo is not represented in the book.  Water stains at edges of photo, foxing on matting, age yellowed, but Very Fine. No photograph.  $1,350.

635. Deadwood. USAO - United States Assay Office Letter from George S. Jackson, Deadwood, SD 10-Feb 1903

Letter recommending Col. Thornby to be Manager. $250.