THE GOLDEN WEST AUCTIONS

Auction Details

The Golden West Sale encompasses three sessions of auctions covering some of the most important historical western material from the Gold Rush periods of California, Nevada and Colorado. The material has been assembled from many of the great western collections, as well as original material handed down within Gold Rush families, held intact for over 100 years.
Session A of the Golden West Sale encompasses the annual WESTS (Western States Token Society) token auction. This year the highlight is clearly and unarguably the finest Western Indian Trader, Fort & Territorial collection ever assembled at public auction. The more than 500 lot sale contains dozens of R9 and R10 tokens, many of which have not seen the light of day in at least four decades. Some ephemera also is included from Indian Trader sites. Indian Trader tokens are an important form of money exchanged between Indians and Anglos in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Trading Posts were a way of life in the isolated outposts of the western plains and mountains, swapping furs, rugs, coats and other items for food stuffs and equipment. There has never been a sale of this magnitude and importance. The end of this sale will include a comprehensive collection of Naval tokens never before offered and with NO ESTIMATES or MINIMUM BID REQUIREMENTS, as this offering will set the pricing precedent for naval tokens.
Session B encompasses many of the popular collecting categories. It includes a strong photograph collection of American saloon interiors, saloon ephemera and Gold Rush region saloon tokens, also known as Pioneer Minor Coinage. Part of the saloon section includes a large collection of the ultra-rare Good-for mirrors, one of the rarest forms of money, many with pictorial representations of the fabulous “gay-90’s” saloon girls, as well as advertising mirrors. This is the largest mirror offering since the Rosa sale of 1988. Most of the mirrors are so rare that only one to three specimens of each are known. The session will be rounded out by a collection of So-called dollars and Hibler Kappen related material, $50 slug facsimiles, Chopmarked coins, Golden Gate International Exposition Medals and more. Much of this section is from the well-known Bill Weber Collection.
Session C The highlight of the sale is certainly the newly discovered Washington Nugget, a nearly 100 ounce nugget (and several others) found in an unmined section of the Omega-Malakoff Tertiary Channel in February, 2010 that made national news. The nuggets are accompanied by two large original nineteenth-century bullion scales (Christian Becker, New York; Henry Troemner, Philadelphia), It is accompanied in the sale by some masterful original Gold Rush art, inclusive of a spectacular and early rendition of a miner, several broadsides- a miner in lithographic form, panoramic views of mining communities, a number of original Currier & Ives prints of the Gold Rush and Salt Lake City, stage coach pieces, and the Alaska 1893 Yukon/Alaska Miners Union Banner.
A massive Gold Rush banking collection covers the 1850’s through 1860’s in California and Nevada, with what is probably the largest Gold Rush period banking collection ever offered publicly. It contains more than 100 different Bills of Exchange, a form of the first circulating currency on the West Coast. A wonderful and large collection of Gold Rush banking documents augments this fine collection, along with original leather gold pokes and money belts.
Some of the highlights of the Gold Rush Collection are documents from the original 1910 San Francisco sale of the estate of James King of William, documents signed by Adolph Sutro, California coiner F. D. Kohler, and others. A very rare letter book from Nevada mining and railroad magnate Hume Yerington from the mid-1860’s contains incredible information about his life prior to his railroad successes.
A large collection of US Mint ephemera is included, including rare bullion receipts, photographs, lithograph, gold coin and other coin bank bags, as well as rare Carson City gold and silver coins. Accompanying the Mint ephemera is a section of California Counters and rare California Gold Rush tokens.
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Salt Lake City,UT - January 20, 1869 - Wells Fargo & Co. First of Exchange :2207 - Salt Lake City,UT - January 20, 1869 - Wells Fargo & Co. First of Exchange :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Rare printed exchange from Utah issued to Pomeroy & Co and signed at lower right by Theo F. Tracy, Wells Fargo agent. $500. U.S. 2 cent orange i...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to p********n for (100.00 + 17.50BP) = 117.50
 
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San Francisco,CA - August 15, 1850 - William & Mott,  First of Exchange :2208 - San Francisco,CA - August 15, 1850 - William & Mott, First of Exchange :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Exchange for $1000 San Francisco, CA. The receipt measures 4" x 8", has a small vignette on the left side of small ship which has an ornat...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Cuba - Havana,Nov. 30, 1841 - Cuba Exchanges :2209 - Cuba - Havana,Nov. 30, 1841 - Cuba Exchanges :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of 2. 1) No. 757 issued for $300.55. Vignette of military ship with anchor and barrels in foreground. Endorsed on reverse by Pedro Alvarez. Manus
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 350.00
Sold to 8***8 for (150.00 + 26.25BP) = 176.25
 
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Foreign,1856 - Foreign Bills of Exchange :2210 - Foreign,1856 - Foreign Bills of Exchange :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of four Items. 1) Oriental Bank Corporation Second of Exchange, Sydney, Australia 25-Jul 1856; No.61476 Second Of Exchange payable to William J. B
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 125.00 | Estimate : 250.00 - 450.00
 
 
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Mokelumne Hill,CA - Calaveras County - February 12, 1855 - Adams & Co. Bank Checks :2211 - Mokelumne Hill,CA - Calaveras County - February 12, 1855 - Adams & Co. Bank Checks :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Two Checks from Adams & Co Bankers. One check has not been used and the other comes from Mokelumne Hill, CA and is made payable to C. P. Baker f...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Tombstone,AZ - Cochise County - 1880s - Arizona Checks :2212 - Tombstone,AZ - Cochise County - 1880s - Arizona Checks :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two checks. One is a Cochise County Bank written to Farmers and Mchts Bank of Los Angeles, Cal. For $500 and signed by I.E. Jacobs, Cashier. Da
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1869 - Bacon Mill to Trench Mill Check :2213 - Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1869 - Bacon Mill to Trench Mill Check :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Mill to mill check issued Aug. 15, 1869 for $6000/ Signed James Fair. One orange 2 cent manuscript cancelled Nevada Revenue stamp (star) and one orang
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 9***5 for (35.00 + 6.13BP) = 41.13
 
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San Francisco,CA - Dec. 18, 1865 - Bank of California, Telegraph Wire Transfer :2214 - San Francisco,CA - Dec. 18, 1865 - Bank of California, Telegraph Wire Transfer :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Issued for $5137.50 in U.S. gold coin to S..J. Ahern a/s Baker & Hamilton. Signed by R. Morgenstern for W.C. Ralston, Cashier, Drawn on Bank of ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Virginia City,NV - 1864-67 - Bank of California/Stateler & Arrington Bank *Territorial* :2217 - Virginia City,NV - 1864-67 - Bank of California/Stateler & Arrington Bank *Territorial* :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two. 1) No. 5529 issued Jan. 30, 1864 for $40. Signed Charles Strong. One blue 2 cent manuscript cancelled revenue stamp. Drawn on Stateler &...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1867-1900 - Bank of California Check (s) :2218 - Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1867-1900 - Bank of California Check (s) :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of four. 1) 294 issued June 26, 1877 to Glazier & Co. for $5000. Signed Frank Black. One orange 2 cent revenue stamp (RN- ND1) at middle wit...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to t********n.. for (90.00 + 15.75BP) = 105.75
 
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Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1867 - Bank of California. Gould and Curry Silver Mining Company2219 - Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1867 - Bank of California. Gould and Curry Silver Mining Company
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Check No. 4225 issued Oct. 21, 1867. Virginia City dateline. Made payable to John in the amount of $150.00. Signed by Louis Janin. One o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c****n for (30.00 + 5.25BP) = 35.25
 
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Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1869 - Bank of California for Gould & Curry Mine Check2220 - Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1869 - Bank of California for Gould & Curry Mine Check
Holabird-Kagin Americana
No. 6713 issued Nov. 4, 1869 to Chollar Potosi Mg. Co. For $109.24. Signed Isaac Requa. Requa was superintendent of Gould & Curry Mine, Chollar-...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to r***6 for (30.00 + 5.25BP) = 35.25
 
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Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1898 - Bank of California Check (s) :2221 - Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1898 - Bank of California Check (s) :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Check from the agency of The Bank of California, Virginia, NV. Company seal on the left side of the check. Check numbered 11344. Red postage stamp on
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to 9*****t for (100.00 + 17.50BP) = 117.50
 
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Gold Hill,NV - 1872 - Blauvelt, W.H., Signed Check & Cover :2222 - Gold Hill,NV - 1872 - Blauvelt, W.H., Signed Check & Cover :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
No. 15201 issued Sept. 5, 1872 to Chris James for $400. Drawn on Bank of California check. Signed by W.H. Blauvelt. One green 5 cent cancelled Nevada
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***8 for (150.00 + 26.25BP) = 176.25
 
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Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1864 - Bonner, Charles Signed Check to Kidd, William. :2223 - Virginia City,NV - Storey County - 1864 - Bonner, Charles Signed Check to Kidd, William. :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Issued Dec. 3, 1864 to William Kidd for $247.50. Signed by Charles Bonner. William Kidd was known to operate a mining team in the Hope Gulch area (c.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 9***8 for (25.00 + 4.38BP) = 29.38
 
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Carson City,NV - Ormsby County - 1885 - Bullion and Exchange Bank Checks :2224 - Carson City,NV - Ormsby County - 1885 - Bullion and Exchange Bank Checks :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of 43 checks from the Bullion and Exchange Bank in Carson City, NV. All checks are c.1885 and signed by cashier T.F. Hofer. Checks range in value
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to t********n.. for (25.00 + 4.38BP) = 29.38
 
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San Francisco,CA - 1850-1855 - Burgoyne & Co. Checks :2225 - San Francisco,CA - 1850-1855 - Burgoyne & Co. Checks :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of four. 1) Lined out header. "Palmer Cook & Co." handwritten above, Issued Jan. 15, 1855 to Adams & CO. (express company) for...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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San Francisco,CA - Dec. 23, 1852 - Burgoyne Letter :2226 - San Francisco,CA - Dec. 23, 1852 - Burgoyne Letter :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Manuscript document handwritten to John Gantz, ESQ. For $794.30. Signed Wm. Burgoyne. Datelined at top right. "Mail" at top left. Without ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8***8 for (100.00 + 17.50BP) = 117.50
 
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San Francisco,CA - Feb. 24, 1854 - Burgoyne Bank Letter :2227 - San Francisco,CA - Feb. 24, 1854 - Burgoyne Bank Letter :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
This is a hand written letter to F.D. Atherton, Esq and signed Burgoyne & Co. This letter is printed on light blue paper with Burgoyne’s masthea...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to 8***8 for (150.00 + 26.25BP) = 176.25
 
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San Francisco,CA - c1850 - California Bank Unissued Check :2228 - San Francisco,CA - c1850 - California Bank Unissued Check :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Rare item from this obscure bank. Dunbar established this bank in San Francisco in 1850, where he redeemed at par the gold coins of Baldwin & Co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to F*******d for (550.00 + 96.25BP) = 646.25
 
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