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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Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1933 - Comrades of the Desert, Book :3168 - Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1933 - Comrades of the Desert, Book :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A story for boys by Ruth Thompson. Sixth printing by Harr Wagner Publishing Company of San Francisco, California. Hardcover without dust jacket, 195 p
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Death Valley Characters, Publication :3169 - Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Death Valley Characters, Publication :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of four includes: 1) Death Valley Scotty: The Man and the Myth by Johnston, Hank; 2) Pete Aguereberry: Death Valley Prospector & Gold Miner ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1941 - Desert Country, Book :3170 - Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1941 - Desert Country, Book :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
By Edwin Corle. Published in 1941. Paher# 382. 357 Pages. Torn dust jacket.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 40.00 - 60.00
Sold to 9***3 for (20.00 + 3.50BP) = 23.50
 
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Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Furnace Creek Copper Co. Stock :3171 - Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Furnace Creek Copper Co. Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Incorporated in the State of Washington. No. 6983 issued Nov. 30, 1906 (stamp dated) for 100 shares. Blk with green underprint on crème. Vignet...
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Start Price : 12.00 | Estimate : 25.00 - 75.00
 
 
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Diamondville,CA - Butte County - 1892 - California Mining Stock Certificates :3172 - Diamondville,CA - Butte County - 1892 - California Mining Stock Certificates :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of four items. 1) Diamondville Blue Gravel Mining Company (2), incorporated May 1st, 1875. Certificate No. 143 and 234, both blank. "Locati...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold to D*******e for (38.00 + 6.65BP) = 44.65
 
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Downieville,CA - Ladd & Co. Banking House Assay Receipt :3173 - Downieville,CA - Ladd & Co. Banking House Assay Receipt :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
This is a small 5 14/ x 3 ¼” preprinted deposit form for “Coin, Gold Dust, or Checks” for the Banking House of W. H. Ladd & Co., Downievill...
Bidding Has Concluded
 
Sold to 6*****H for (10.00 + 1.75BP) = 11.75
 
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Downieville,CA - Sierra County - 1869-1930 - Northern California Mining Group :3174 - Downieville,CA - Sierra County - 1869-1930 - Northern California Mining Group :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of three items. 1) Sierra Valley Bank check, dated Mar. 1, 1930, and signed by Emile Loeffler for the Harmony Lodge No. 164, F. & A.M. 2) Si...
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Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 75.00
 
 
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Downieville,CA - 1860s - P.A. Lamping & Co. Bills of Exchange :3175 - Downieville,CA - 1860s - P.A. Lamping & Co. Bills of Exchange :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two. 1) Unnumbered, unissued original of exchange c1860s. Vignette of seated lady with ships in background. Britton & Co. Printers, San F...
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Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Esmeralda,CA - Calaveras County - 1860, 1863 - Power of Attorney Document :3176 - Esmeralda,CA - Calaveras County - 1860, 1863 - Power of Attorney Document :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A handwritten document first filed for record on October 21, 1860 in the records of Esmeralda District, Calaveras County, California by Elijah Seaton
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to C********y for (85.00 + 14.88BP) = 99.88
 
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Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - July 24, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :3177 - Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - July 24, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Assay receipt for 218.46 oz of gold dust for assay in advance of $3,600.00
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - October 9, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :3178 - Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - October 9, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Assay receipt for 39.32 oz of gold dust for assay in advance of $500.00.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to p********n for (38.00 + 6.65BP) = 44.65
 
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Forest City,CA - Butte County - July 9, 1869 - Young America Mining Company Payroll Receipt :3179 - Forest City,CA - Butte County - July 9, 1869 - Young America Mining Company Payroll Receipt :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A plain receipt printed on white paper with black print. Titled, “To the Treasurer of the Young America Mining Company.” No. 702, issued to L. Walker
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8***8 for (75.00 + 13.13BP) = 88.13
 
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Forest Hill,CA - 1859 - Forest Hill Bank Checks :3180 - Forest Hill,CA - 1859 - Forest Hill Bank Checks :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of three. 1) No. 40 issued Dec. 4, 1859 to C.A. Langley (San Francisco druggists) for $202.25. Signed Hardy & Kennedy (store merchant). Endo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***8 for (170.00 + 29.75BP) = 199.75
 
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Forest Hill,CA - July 29, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express Bullion Receipt :3181 - Forest Hill,CA - July 29, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express Bullion Receipt :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
W. F. Standard bullion receipt. This one is for a bag of dust valued at $3700 shipped from Hardy & Kennedy in Forest Hill to Banker D.O. Mills i...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to p********n for (75.00 + 13.13BP) = 88.13
 
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Foresthill,CA - Sierra County - 1859-1860 - Hardy & Kennedy Checks :3182 - Foresthill,CA - Sierra County - 1859-1860 - Hardy & Kennedy Checks :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two. 1) Issued May 25, 1860 for $3000. Unnumbered. D.O. Mills & Co. Bankers, Sacramento. Signed Hardy & Kennedy. Cut cancel at center...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8***8 for (50.00 + 8.75BP) = 58.75
 
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Foresthill,CA - Mills, D. O. to Hardy & Kennedy Letter :3183 - Foresthill,CA - Mills, D. O. to Hardy & Kennedy Letter :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Letter from D.O. Mills & Co. To Hardy & Kennedy stating problems with processing two certs of assay. "Coin is taking the place of bars...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***8 for (110.00 + 19.25BP) = 129.25
 
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Foresthill,CA - Placer County - November, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co. Receipt for 2 Bags of Gold Dust :3184 - Foresthill,CA - Placer County - November, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co. Receipt for 2 Bags of Gold Dust :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Wells Fargo & Co Express receipt for 2 bags of gold dust received of Hardy & Kennedy addressed to the offices of Fretz & Ralston valued ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Fresno County,CA - Geologic Map of Coalinga-New Idria Area, California Division of Forestry :3185 - Fresno County,CA - Geologic Map of Coalinga-New Idria Area, California Division of Forestry :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Fresno County,CA - Geologic Map of Coalinga-New Idria Area, California Division of Forestry :
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10.00 - 20.00
Sold to r***6 for (9.00 + 1.58BP) = 10.58
 
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Fresno County,CA - c1910 - Mining Photographs :3186 - Fresno County,CA - c1910 - Mining Photographs :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of six. These Photographs depict a mining operation probably close to the eastern side of Fresno County. Six photographs: two depict miners push
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Graeagle,CA - Plumas County - c1917 - Davies' Mill, Mohawk Valley RPC :3187 - Graeagle,CA - Plumas County - c1917 - Davies' Mill, Mohawk Valley RPC :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
The photo shows a lumber mill in full swing, smoke coming from the smokestack, a large pile of lumber to the left and general industry, set among the
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 9***3 for (50.00 + 8.75BP) = 58.75
 
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