LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Summer F.U.N. Sig. Coin Auction #442  / 

3332

Kellogg & Humbert 36.4 Oz gold ingot

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:97,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Kellogg & Humbert 36.4 Oz gold ingot
<B>Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot.</B></I> 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 <I>America's Lost Treasure </B></I>is of interest and was written later by one of the survivors, William Chase:<BR><BR> "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 <I>Central America</B></I>, 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."<BR><BR> 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 sunk, this particular ingot was valued at $620.77.<BR><BR> 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. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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