Auction Name: 2026 March 26 - 28 US Coins Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 3311

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1391*3311

Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. 26.55 Ounces. CAGB-512. Of the 343 Kellogg & Humbert ingots recovered from the S.S. Central America during the first salvage expedition, 80 were poured from the KH-02 mold, with varying thickness determined by their individual weights. These ingots were among the smaller pieces from the prolific assayer. By comparison, 97 ingots were recovered from the larger KH-03 mold, 85 ingots were recovered from the KH-04 mold, 47 from the KH-05 mold, 13 from the KH-06 mold, nine from the KH-07 mold, and the lone "Eureka" ingot from the mammoth KH-08 mold. On the other end of the spectrum, 11 ingots were found from the small KH-01 mold. Collectively, this was the largest single-assayer representation within the S.S. Central America treasure, and Kellogg & Humbert ingots are highly sought after by collectors. The smaller pieces, like the present, while more accessible from a gold weight perspective, are equally as coveted as the larger pieces.

Kellogg & Humbert was one of the most prolific private assayers of the Gold Rush era, and one of the most respected. After the San Francisco Mint began operations in 1854, private coinage from local assayers quickly subsided, save for those produced by Wass, Molitor & Co. and Kellogg & Co. in 1854 and 1855 during a period of parting acid shortages at the federal mint. However, the gold ingots of the private firms continued to exist for several years, as evidenced by the cargo content of the S.S. Central America as late as 1857. The 343 Kellogg & Humbert ingots bound for New York aboard the ill-fated sidewheel steamship were likely intended bank deposits, as assayers in California would not have needed to ship gold bars to the Philadelphia Mint for coinage.

This ingot was poured into Mold K&H-02 (41 mm x 52 mm) and weighs 26.55 troy ounces. This medium-sized (weight class of 25.01 to 40.00 ounces) ingot is neatly laid out vertically. The top side reads: No 660 / 26.55 Oz / 861 FINE / $472.54. The company hallmark is placed on the long, left side. On lower-weight ingots from this mold, portions of the hallmark such as the word ASSAYERS can run off the edge face, but the current ingot is thick enough to facilitate the complete hallmark. It is well placed and straight. The serial number is repeated on the back side of the ingot. The ingot is mostly deep orange-gold with small areas of reddish iron deposit from the shipwreck. Thickness: 23 mm. Includes a copy of Q. David Bowers' A California Gold Rush History, black cover edition.

Include Thumbnail(s)