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CA - Placerville,El Dorado County - Gold and Gold Quartz Miniature Mining Cart

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:13,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
CA - Placerville,El Dorado County  - Gold and Gold Quartz Miniature Mining Cart
Session D is a Mail-Bid Only Auction. Absentee bids will be accepted only. No live bidding will be allowed. All winners will be contacted after the auction. BIDDING ENDS MONDAY JUNE 27 AT 5PM PACIFIC TIME!!!
This gold and gold quartz cart recently surfaced in the Mother Lode. It came without provenance and without jeweler’s hallmarks. The craftsmanship and quality points towards fabrication later than the 1850s. The gold quartz slabs could be from the 16 to 1 Mine in origin, although that too is speculative. The cart stands on its own merits, the wheels roll, and it fully functional. It was probably a mine owners’ personal desk piece. It is an impressive corollary piece to any mining and mineral collection. It weighs 115.6 grams and tests at 12 carats. Its melt value alone at $1,500.00 an ounce gold is $2,300. Measurements are 30 mm and 38 mm in length, 16 mm in width, 17.5 mm cart height, and overall height is 38.5 mm. Contains approximately $1500/ounce in gold at spot price. This was originally noted as being an 1860's piece but we actually believe it is post 1900.