From the link below:
>>>Question: I have a gold (?) ingot that measures approx 1 1/8 X 3/4 X 1/16 inches. Markings are: PARSONS & Co. ASSAYERS COL. 1860 TWENTY DOLS. Reverse is marked: CARAT 18 1/2 DWT 25 3/10. Coin book that I have only indicates a coin dated 1861.
Answer: Dr. John D. Parsons, an Assayer in Oro City, Colorado, c. 1858, was involved with both the real estate business and the gold refining and assay business near the Taryyall Mines. He made several gold coins as well as trial strikings in copper.
The 1860 gold $20 ingot is controversial (Why was it made? Is it really from Parsons? Where did the punches come from as the bar predates the arrival of Parsons minting equipment?). Only one genuine Parsons gold $20 ingot is currently known to exist. The piece is in the famous Eli Lilly collection currently housed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. The stated weight of this bar is 39.81 grams but actually weighs a bit less at 39.53 grams.
Many base metal copies of this ingot exist, most made by Curtin & Pease as an advertising promotional device during the 1960s. These copies weigh much less than the weight listed above. If you believe you have a genuine Parsons 1860 TWENTY DOL.S Specie Ingot, this would be a major numismatic discovery. Authentication is mandatory. You will want to contact The American Numismatic Association about their authentication services.<<<
>>>Dr. John D. Parsons set up shop in Colorado near the town of Tarryall in Park county. Very little is know about his operation though in 1861 he minted 2 1/2 dollar and 5 dollar coins which today are very rare. This emergency money had similar use as the private issue pieces that were minted during the California Gold Rush days of 1849-1857.
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Q. Also, I have a small rectangular piece of gold, a little over an inch long and a half inch wide and 1/8 inch thick. On the front in crude stamping it says, "Parsons & C. Assayers Col. 1860 Twenty Dols.". On the back it is stamped, "Carat 18 1/2 DWT 25 6/10".
A. A Parsons & Co gold bar dated 1860, the same as you described in your note, is known to exist but is thought to be unique. Note that hundreds of base-metal copies of this bar were made by Curtin & Pease for promotional purposes in the 1960's. They are not gold nor do they weigh 25 6/10th penny weights (DWT). If you think the bar may be genuine, you can start by weighing it. If the weight is correct send the bar to the American Numismatic Association for authentication..<<<
