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1876 Mystery Silver Ingot. Engraved & Stamped. Writing On It. Can You Solve Mystery If It's Origins?
- Thread starter Critterhunter
- Start date
Critterhunter
New member
edjcox said:
Wasn't "answered" long ago. We've been waiting for official word from the auction house who had it in their possession to research it. The news just arrived so I wanted to update people who asked to be kept up on what they found out about it. All the prior speculation was just that- speculation, but now it's been pinned down by an expert after a good bit of research. We weren't even sure if the name on it was the name of a mine or a person it was presented to, and we couldn't really find any solid references to a mine with that name by researching the net.
We expected the auction house expert in these types of ingots/bars might have more resources at his disposal to dig further in such things, and in fact he was able to. Turns out it was a mine, and also turns out it was right on the border in California and might be considered part of the Comstock load. If that's the case, depending on how the auction house presents it, it might bring in even more money than expected due to the historical significance of the comstock load. I always try to live by the rule of thumb to never rain on another guy's parade, so I for one am happy to hear of my friend's potential good fortune here, especially if he's buying the drinks at a celebration party or something.
Seriously though, he's been out of detecting for a few years here due to his older machine breaking down, and has asked me to send him some info on a few machines made by a manufacturer he has been loyal to for years with his prior machine, so I'm eager to send my friend a few links to the run down of features on two of that companies top detectors, because it's been far too long since he hasn't joined our circle of hunters in the field to do some detecting. For that reason alone I'm happy for him, as we all have some very good memories of our hunts together. In his good fortune so do we all share, in that our old friend will be back among the ranks of us once again. That's the real treasure in this hobby. Some of my oldest and most trusted friends I met through this great hobby of ours.
Critterhunter
New member
taz42o said:
I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue to tell the name of the auction house, but in the interest of protecting my friend's identity I never asked him if I could relate such details, so I'll reframe. I'm sure a little net searching in a few weeks will probably bring up the item being prepared to auction off, as they are printing the catalog right now from what I hear. I'm just glad he let me share the details I have thus far, as it's such a good potential "treasure" story to warm the souls of people in this hobby on a cold winter night, even though he didn't find it with a metal detector.
PowerDetecting
Member
keep us updated on what it sells for I hope you get over the quoted price GL!
Critterhunter
New member
Thanks, when he sends me the link to the online auction/catalog (and he's getting a paper catalog as well I hear), I'll ask if he minds me sharing the link. I don't think it'll be an issue, since obviously it has to go public to get the highest bid, and I'm sure they don't release the identity of the seller. Just that I don't want to step on any toes until I'm told otherwise, so I'm sorry if me not relating the auction house (yet) seems particular...
Critterhunter
New member
My friend called me about an hour ago and said the ingot is now online for pre-bidding at the auction house, which specializes in rare silver and gold ingots and bars. One of the best at that I hear, which is why my friend was very excited when they called him immediately on receiving pictures of his ingot and told him. "You've got a VERY NICE item here!" They then paid for the shipping and special insurance via their own set up accounting for that, without any obligations, just so they could research it. With the instant phone call after seeing pictures and offering to insure/ship/research it with no strings attached, that's when we suspected he might have something special here. Of course none of that means this ingot is going to go for any kind of huge amount of money, but then again one never knows...
Notice the live in house and online bidding is one day only later this month. Also, notice they say "An exciting piece that will undoubtedly reward further research." That should intrigue some people as it adds to the mystery.
Also, as with coins, I bet it's the rarity of a bar or ingot (how many there are) and not necessarily the historical significance that drives the price up. Just like a coin, the less there are the more the value due to rarity. Since none of us can find any examples of this ingot online, I think it might go for a really good buck.
And just the same, it does appear it might also have some important historical significance being less than 50 miles from Sutter's Mill, and the remarks about the area where the mine was located being where "Herbert Hoover started his mining and assaying career in this area, known as the center of the Mother Lode." Further research might prove even more importance as to it's historical value I would suspect.
http://stacksbowers.com/auctions/auctionlot.aspx?lotid=435911
Notice the live in house and online bidding is one day only later this month. Also, notice they say "An exciting piece that will undoubtedly reward further research." That should intrigue some people as it adds to the mystery.
Also, as with coins, I bet it's the rarity of a bar or ingot (how many there are) and not necessarily the historical significance that drives the price up. Just like a coin, the less there are the more the value due to rarity. Since none of us can find any examples of this ingot online, I think it might go for a really good buck.
And just the same, it does appear it might also have some important historical significance being less than 50 miles from Sutter's Mill, and the remarks about the area where the mine was located being where "Herbert Hoover started his mining and assaying career in this area, known as the center of the Mother Lode." Further research might prove even more importance as to it's historical value I would suspect.
http://stacksbowers.com/auctions/auctionlot.aspx?lotid=435911
Critterhunter
New member
The ingot had been online for pre-bidding for several days and also presented in a nice color catalog they mailed out to people. Really high class type of operation. Anyway, today at 10AM it went on the floor for live in house bidding along with other items in that catalog. This morning's pre-bidding when that closed at 9AM was already up to $4,775. After the live in house bidding it's final closing price was.....$8000! We are very happy for him. You can see the closing price listed here...
http://stacksbowers.com/Auctions/AuctionLot.aspx?LotID=435911
That should help him to pay off a few bills I'm sure, and hoping he'll have the spare cash to pick up a new detector he's been looking into.
http://stacksbowers.com/Auctions/AuctionLot.aspx?LotID=435911
That should help him to pay off a few bills I'm sure, and hoping he'll have the spare cash to pick up a new detector he's been looking into.
Critter,nice profit.That would buy a nice used bike for the summer and travel money.Thanks Ron
stacey1080
New member
http://stacksbowers.com/auctions/auctionlot.aspx?lotid=435911
Lot #12846. 1876 Silver Presentation Ingot. Amador City, California. Maxon Mine. 4.92 ounces, .987 silver. $5.28. 55.4 mm x 17.9 mm x 13.7 mm. Choice Near Mint State.
Unique 1876 Amador County, CA Presentation Ingot
Description:
A beautifully accomplished anonymous presentation ingot from the Sierra Nevadas, less than 50 miles from the famed Sutter's Mill. Top face is neatly engraved "Maxon / June 28th 1876" inside a punched and engraved border. The opposite side is punched OZ 4.92 / SILVER / 987 / FINE / $5.28 in individual punches. All other faces are finely polished, linear casting flaw in side face, no corner cut. A neat, small ingot, undoubtedly marking the discovery of a new vein or some other momentous event. The Maxon mine begins appearing in documents about 1873 and was still being worked as late as 1915, yielding gold, silver, copper and lead. Herbert Hoover started his mining and assaying career in this area, known as the center of the Mother Lode. An exciting piece that will undoubtedly reward further research.
Lot #12846. 1876 Silver Presentation Ingot. Amador City, California. Maxon Mine. 4.92 ounces, .987 silver. $5.28. 55.4 mm x 17.9 mm x 13.7 mm. Choice Near Mint State.
Unique 1876 Amador County, CA Presentation Ingot
Description:
A beautifully accomplished anonymous presentation ingot from the Sierra Nevadas, less than 50 miles from the famed Sutter's Mill. Top face is neatly engraved "Maxon / June 28th 1876" inside a punched and engraved border. The opposite side is punched OZ 4.92 / SILVER / 987 / FINE / $5.28 in individual punches. All other faces are finely polished, linear casting flaw in side face, no corner cut. A neat, small ingot, undoubtedly marking the discovery of a new vein or some other momentous event. The Maxon mine begins appearing in documents about 1873 and was still being worked as late as 1915, yielding gold, silver, copper and lead. Herbert Hoover started his mining and assaying career in this area, known as the center of the Mother Lode. An exciting piece that will undoubtedly reward further research.