504

CA - San Francisco,Riehn Hemme Silver Watch Fob Ingot No. 544

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Bullion Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
CA - San Francisco,Riehn Hemme Silver Watch Fob Ingot No. 544
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!!!
Obverse: No. 544 / Riehn, Hemme / & CO. / Assayers // $2.40. / SILV.

Charles F. Riehn and August Hemme opened an assaying business in late 1862 or early 1863. The company had an office in the heart of San Francisco's financial district at 434 Montgomery near the corner of California, directly across the street from Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Bank and Express Office. Prominent gold rush assayers, Henry Hentsch and Francis Berton also had an office in the same building. Riehn & Hemme's lab and processing facilities were located at 408 Montgomery and 1 Summer Street. By the end of the Civil War in 1865, Riehn & Hemme were one of a dozen assaying firms in San Francisco. Riehn & Hemme's business was located in the center of the mining and business district of San Francisco.

We've known about this unique, attractive watch fob ingot for many years. It was dug from an outhouse site of a mining camp in Sierra County by the owner's husband, and we are happy to finally have the opportunity to offer it to collectors.