Gold Specimens

14. Two Spectacular Arizona Gold Nuggets, AZ

These two choice large nuggets came to us from an Arizona collection recently. The author (Fred Holabird) had the opportunity to work these districts about 1980. At the time full scale mining was underway at Rich Hill and in remote canyons around Wickenburg. Only a few of these larger nuggets were found in modern times. Historical reports discuss things such as “the potato patch” on top of Rich Hill where large nuggets were found in historic times. These are certainly two of the best and largest Arizona nuggets to be placed on the market recently.

1) 2.30 troy oz nugget from Rich Hill

2) 1.75 troy oz nugget from the Constellation Mine area near Wickenburg.

Total weight: 4.05 troy ounces. Two pieces $8,100.

15. Fricot Nugget Carte De Visite, CA 1867

This is an original photograph of three gold ingots and the famous Fricot nugget. It was taken in 1867 at the Paris International Exhibition. The ingots are Kellogg and Hewston, Hentch & Berton and A.P. Molitor. This is the only known photograph with a relatively clear view of the assay ingots when enlarged and magnified. This CDV is arguably the most important historical artifact in the ingot-collecting field. It is the only copy of this rare photograph in private hands, and was used in Holabird’s article published in Coin World during 2005 on the subject of western assay ingots. This photograph forms the foundation of all historical ingot research, as the large Fricot gold specimen was placed on three different gold assayer ingots, all from California. All are clearly visible when this photo is enlarged. These ingots show the exact same characteristic markings as those found on the S.S. Central America. The only other known photo of these ingots is in the Hearst Collection taken by Watkins. This photograph is every bit as important as an original western assay ingot. Extremely Fine. $3,500. Sold

16. Original Sixteen to One Mine Gold Collection, Alleghany, Sierra County, CA

We are proud to present this exclusive offering of the last and largest remaining high-grade single-source mine gold collection in America. The Original Sixteen to One Mine has been in production since the 19^th century. California Gold Rush miners found a rich gold-quartz vein system in the northern end of the California Mother Lode Region near Downieville.

The mine was made famous in modern times by the discovery of a rich $3 million pocket two decades ago, worth nearly $10 million today, just for the gold alone. As specimens, the material is truly priceless. The collection of 100 specimens includes the “Whopper”, a massive specimen of native gold in quartz, and one of the largest gold specimens left from California. The collection also includes a dozen hand carved pieces, carved from the native gold in quartz rock from the mine, depicting miners and high grade gold. Carvings of this intricate nature and quality would be impossible today with high gold prices. A complete catalog of the collection is available upon request. $3.5 Million.

17. Gold, Sixteen to One Mine, Alleghany, CA

This is a lot of four specimens from the three million dollar pocket of coarse gold in quartz, with minor amounts of dark sulfides. 1) 0.59 troy oz; 2) 0.16 troy oz; 3) 0.32 troy oz 4) 1.24 troy oz. Total weight: 2.31 troy ounces. Four Pieces. $2,250.

18. Gold Nuggets, Downieville, Sierra County, CA c 1970’s

This is a lot of three choice placer gold nuggets from the Downieville area that were mined more than thirty years ago: 1) 6.73 troy oz 2) 5.06 troy oz 3) 3.00 troy oz. Total weight: 14.79 troy ounces. Three pieces. $25,500.

19. Raw Gold in Quartz, Jackson, CA

This is a lot of three specimens. The sizes are about 1 x 2 x 3” each, with much visible leaf and crystalline gold. They about 20% gold by weight. 1) 1.19 troy oz 2) 1.36 troy oz 3) 2.50 troy oz. Total weight: 5.05 troy ounces. Three Pieces $2,000.

20. Large Gold in Quartz Specimen

This large gold specimen is from an unknown location, probably somewhere in California. It is from an old collection and is a very nice specimen that could stand professional curation to enhance the massive gold vein. Regardless, it is a rare, large specimen weighing 9.69 troy ounces, probably 60% by weight gold. $10,000.