10484

1933 United States Assay Office, New York Gold In

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:32,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1933 United States Assay Office, New York Gold In
<B>1933 United States Assay Office, New York Gold Ingot. 20.11 ounces. 999.8 Fine.</B></I> The receipt number and lot number are both illegible, having been heavily filed, as on at least two of the ingots currently known. Minor signs of handling are noted, including light wear on the round Assay Office logo.<BR> The United States Assay Office at New York began operations in 1854, after being established by a Congressional Act of March 3, 1853. Operations continued until the end of 1982 when remaining gold was transferred to the depository at West Point. They produced gold and silver ingots, those of gold consisting of smaller ingots to supply the arts and sciences, and larger ingots for export purposes. Even today, after distribution of a hoard of 18 such ingots, these are seldom seen. Only about 24 or 25 gold ingots from the New York Assay Office are known today.<BR> This ingot is not only important as a representative of the few surviving gold bars, but is even more significant as it is dated 1933! That was the year that President Roosevelt signed the order preventing private ownership of gold. It was only a day after his inauguration that Roosevelt met with Congress in an emergency session. Congress quickly passed "An Act to Provide Relief in the Existing National Emergency in Banking, and For Other Purposes." This law, and Presidential Order 6260, which Roosevelt signed on August 28, 1933, made it illegal for United States Citizens to possess gold in any form, except as a collectible. More details about the events of 1933 in relation to gold coinage may be found at www.gold.org, the website of the World Gold Council.