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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Stockton,CA - San Joaquin - May 20, 1849 - Stockton, Wm. B. Receipt :2571 - Stockton,CA - San Joaquin - May 20, 1849 - Stockton, Wm. B. Receipt :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
This is a hand written receipt for 86 oz from Mical White to Stockton, who was an early resident of California. He is not, however, the namesake of St
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Tracy,CA - c1905-1906 - Wells Fargo & Co. Agent's Money Order Receipt Books :2572 - Tracy,CA - c1905-1906 - Wells Fargo & Co. Agent's Money Order Receipt Books :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Group of seven receipt books, about 3.5 x 4.5" each, c1905-6. Each book has the cash endorsement stamps at right "not payable for over XX ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Tracy/Porterville,CA - c1907 - Wells Fargo & Co. Money Way-Bills and Express Receipt Books :2573 - Tracy/Porterville,CA - c1907 - Wells Fargo & Co. Money Way-Bills and Express Receipt Books :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two. 1) Two Wells Fargo Money Way Bill books showing packages of coin or papers sent by WF via railroad. FF Foster and M R Fothergill, agents f
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 900.00
Sold to l******n for (200.00 + 35.00BP) = 235.00
 
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Washington,CA - Nevada County - Washington Gold Nugget ~ 100 Ounce Whopper :2574 - Washington,CA - Nevada County - Washington Gold Nugget ~ 100 Ounce Whopper :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
98+ troy ounces The Washington, California Nugget - A New Discovery ! By Fred N. Holabird, copyright 2010, all rights reserved Abstract. The di
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250,000.00 - 400,000.00
Sold to 9***4 for (400,000.00 + 70,000.00BP) = 470,000.00
 
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Washington,CA - Nevada County - Washington Gold Nugget ~ Medium :2575 - Washington,CA - Nevada County - Washington Gold Nugget ~ Medium :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
This fabulous bean shaped specimen was found in the Nevada City and Grass valley area and is a typical example of a nugget that 49'ers would hav...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 16,000.00 - 20,000.00
Sold to 8****b for (17,000.00 + 2,975.00BP) = 19,975.00
 
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Washington,CA - Nevada County - Washington Gold Nugget ~ Small :2576 - Washington,CA - Nevada County - Washington Gold Nugget ~ Small :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Another great example of a typical nugget that 49'ers would have found during the great California Gold Rush. 4.06 Troy ounces. Measures 62mm x ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 6,500.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to 8****b for (7,700.00 + 1,347.50BP) = 9,047.50
 
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Yuba City,CA - c 1850 - Sierra Quartz Mining Co. Stock :2577 - Yuba City,CA - c 1850 - Sierra Quartz Mining Co. Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Six of these are known all of which were unissued. This one is c. 1850's. Possibly for the Pennsylvania or Jefferson ground. During 1863-1867, t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to l******n for (100.00 + 17.50BP) = 117.50
 
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CO - Byers, C. H. Receipt :2578 - CO - Byers, C. H. Receipt :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
An unusual handwritten receipt in script: "George Stroh Treasury of the Mountain Company the assessment No 13 of Geo A. Snyder 12 shares $120 o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Canon City,CO - Fremont County - c1875 - Colorado State Penitentiary Stereoview :2579 - Canon City,CO - Fremont County - c1875 - Colorado State Penitentiary Stereoview :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Images of Colorado State Penitentiary, with part of the town of Canon City, Colorado, in the background. Measures 7" x 4", mounted on beig...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Central City,CO - Clear Creek, Gilpin County - c1875 - Bird’s Eye View Stereoview :2580 - Central City,CO - Clear Creek, Gilpin County - c1875 - Bird’s Eye View Stereoview :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Each side measures 3 ¼’’ x 3 ¼" and 6 ¾x 3 ¼ ". Medium contrast and focus is sharp. A fingerprint smudge can be seen ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to p********n for (550.00 + 96.25BP) = 646.25
 
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Cripple Creek,CO - Teller County - c1900 - Colorado Photographs :2581 - Cripple Creek,CO - Teller County - c1900 - Colorado Photographs :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Group of 22 photographs mounted on three pages of crème three ring binder backing paper for a photo album. The pages measure 11 1/2” by 9 ¾...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 350.00 | Estimate : 700.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Denver,CO - Denver Cosolidated City and County - November 14, 1860 - Clark, Gruber & Co Letter Denve2582 - Denver,CO - Denver Cosolidated City and County - November 14, 1860 - Clark, Gruber & Co Letter Denve
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Note to Waddell (Prior to Russell/Clark, Gruber & Co.) Russell, Majors and Waddell were the proprietors of the famous Pony Express. William H. R...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Denver/Leavenworth,CO - Feby 12, 1861 - Clark, Gruber & Co. Document :2583 - Denver/Leavenworth,CO - Feby 12, 1861 - Clark, Gruber & Co. Document :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
This document was issued from Clark Gruber's Leavenworth Bank. They held a note issued by R. Bradford & Co. for which they were unable to co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to 4***4 for (3,000.00 + 525.00BP) = 3,525.00
 
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Eagle County (?),CO - July 14, 1895 - Colorado and Illinois Milling and Mining Company Stock Certifi2584 - Eagle County (?),CO - July 14, 1895 - Colorado and Illinois Milling and Mining Company Stock Certifi
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Incorporated in Illinois in 1892. Cert. #282, issued to Wm. Dammeron in 1895 for 100 shares. Signed by William Boldenwick as president and Wm. Greiner
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Fort Saint Vrain,CO - c1860-1861 - St. Vrain Early Denver Bill of Lading :2585 - Fort Saint Vrain,CO - c1860-1861 - St. Vrain Early Denver Bill of Lading :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Handwritten and issued to Sir Charles Autibie July 1860 to June 1861 for various goods: saddles, bridles, powder horn, powder, hoes, mill saw files, h
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8***8 for (250.00 + 43.75BP) = 293.75
 
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Leadville,CO - Lake County - c1885 - Birds-Eye View & Mill and Mine Stereoviews :2586 - Leadville,CO - Lake County - c1885 - Birds-Eye View & Mill and Mine Stereoviews :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two stereoviews. First is a photograph of a mill and mine in Leadville, Co. Each half measures 3" X 3" on a cream matte, measuring ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to r******8 for (150.00 + 26.25BP) = 176.25
 
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Manitou Springs,CO - El Paso County - c1880 - Manitou Springs Rare Town Shot  Steroview :2588 - Manitou Springs,CO - El Paso County - c1880 - Manitou Springs Rare Town Shot Steroview :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Rare Stereoview, each side measures 3 ¾’’x 3 ¼’’ and 6 ¾’’x 4’’ on tan matte. Medium contrast and focus is sharp. Very little wear, v...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Deadmans Gulch,Dakota - c1876 - Deadmans Gulch Gold Panning Photograph *Territorial* :2589 - Deadmans Gulch,Dakota - c1876 - Deadmans Gulch Gold Panning Photograph *Territorial* :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A view of three miners, one a young man, panning for gold. Image measures 9" x 7 1/2", mounted on white linen matte measuring 12" x 9...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to a**********r for (375.00 + 65.63BP) = 440.63
 
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Sioux Falls,Dakota South - Minnehaha County - 1883 - Corner Stone Laying for Masonic Temple Stereovi2590 - Sioux Falls,Dakota South - Minnehaha County - 1883 - Corner Stone Laying for Masonic Temple Stereovi
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Stereoview measures 7’’x 4’’. Medium contrast and focus is sharp to medium. There are watermarks and a few spots from wear on the top half. Edges of t
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Washington D.C.,DC - District of Colombia - 1861-1863 - Adams & Co. Bills of Lading :2591 - Washington D.C.,DC - District of Colombia - 1861-1863 - Adams & Co. Bills of Lading :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Three Bills of Lading from Adams & Co for the values of $45, $50, and an undisclosed amount. There are two printed on blue paper by W.M. Innes....
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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