LOT #5525 |
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36.40-Ounce Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. CAGB-738....
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Sold on Feb 4, 2014 for:
$176,250.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
36.40-Ounce Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot
An S.S. Central America Treasure
36.40-Ounce Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot. CAGB-738. Ex:
S.S. Central America. A disaster such as the sinking of a
ship focuses the attention of people on what is truly important,
life itself. It also brings out the best and worst in people. A
passage from America's Lost Treasure is of interest,
focusing on the tale of survivor William Chase:"Some of the men unbuckled their gold-stuffed belts and flung their hard-earned treasure upon the deck to lighten their weight. Chase claimed that he could easily have picked up thousands of dollars, if he thought he had a chance of reaching safety with this treasure. Shortly before eight o'clock, the Central America, with its decks now awash, was rapidly filling with water and sinking lower into the sea. In a dinner conversation earlier in the voyage Captain Herndon had told the Eastons that if his ship were ever to go down, he would go with it. Now, having done everything he could to save the women and children, and wondering if he could have done anything different to avoid the imminent tragedy, Captain Herndon retired to his quarters. Stoic and proud, he returned to the wheelhouse wearing his full-dress uniform."
Of the gold ingots that slipped to the bottom of the sea 150 years ago, the most plentiful were those from the well-respected firm of Kellogg & Humbert. More than 400 of these ingots were recovered in 1988. In spite of its considerable heft, the present piece is actually one of the smaller ingots recovered. The smallest from Kellogg & Humbert was 5.71 ounces and the largest weighed an amazing 933.94 ounces. At the time the Central America sank, this particular ingot was valued at $620.77.
The ingot is 52 mm tall, 41 mm wide, and 30 mm deep. The top side reads: No 1028/36.40 OZ/825 FINE/$620.77. The individual ingot number is repeated at the top of the back side. The company imprint is neatly impressed on the right side. Two assay chips are out of opposing corners, as always. Bright overall with no traces of the rust that is often seen on these ingots.
Ex: Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 9/2007), lot 4162.
Auction Info
2014 February 3 - 5 US Coins Signature Auction - New York #1202 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2014
3rd-5th
Monday-Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 19
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 4,046
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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