5794

Justh & Hunter Gold Ingot. No. 4244. This large, heavy

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Bullion Start Price:40,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Justh & Hunter Gold Ingot. No. 4244. This large, heavy
<B>Justh & Hunter Gold Ingot.</B></I> No. 4244. This large, heavy ingot has almost all the imprints on the top side. The devices are well laid out and read: NO. 4244. / JUSTH & HUNTER (imprint) / 144.25 OZS. 886 FINE. / $2641.96. The top left corner shows an assayer's cut. The back side has an enigmatic imprint of the number 44, and there is another assayer's cut on one of the corners on that side. We speculate that this is a partial imprint of either the individual ingot number or the ounces, however, there is no evidence of partially imprinted digits to the left. Now to resume our story.<BR> After Emil Justh dissolved his assaying partnership in 1857, he became a U.S. citizen. Justh then went east and arrived in New York on the <I>Star of the West</B></I> in October 1857. He returned to California and reestablished an assaying company which he eventually sold to John Kellogg in 1861, and then he returned again to New York City where he became a stockbroker. Justh's wife apparently became involved with another man and a divorce case was commenced in 1871. Justh hired a private detective to break into the safe of the other man and steal letters that would prove the seduction of his wife by the other man. The police arrived at Justh's residence to take back the stolen letters. Quoting from the <I>New York Times</B></I> of October 21, 1871: "Yesterday Sergt. McComb proceeded to the residence of Mr. Justh, to arrest him..., but the latter refused to accompany him to the Station, and when force was used, presented a revolver at the officer's head. Patrolman Tully witnessed the occurrence, and before the weapon could be discharged wrenched it from his hand." Justh's wife obtained a divorce from him and was acquitted of the charge of concealment of birth. Justh later emigrated to Paris and died in that city in late 1883.<BR> While this ingot represents a considerable amount of gold and valu