S.S. Central America restrike
cccoins
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I have recent purchased a few S.S. Central America restrikes for my collection. They seem like a fun way to buy some good looking bullion. I have seen the Baldwin $10 in gold, silver, and pewter, and the $50 Kellogg in round and the $50 Humbert octagonal. I know that the round $50’s were dated on the day struck, and I believe that all three of these are tied back to the bar that they came from. Based on this, does anyone have an exhaustive list of all types that were made? I am thinking of putting together a full set, but what an idea of what I am getting into before I start.
Thanks,
John
5
Comments
Nice looking gold... Lately, I restrict my gold purchases to AGE's though... That being said, I like all gold (even nuggets)... and I also have a 1909D $5 Indian that is one of my all time favorite coins...I also have other gold coins that I acquired over the years...I am a confirmed gold bug.
Cheers, RickO
Those should properly be called medals and not restrikes. They are still interesting but the dies used to make them are from 2002 not 1857.
Nice looking coin. I'm not aware of any others than what you have outlined. Good luck if you decide on compiling the set, keep us updated.
Totally agree, +1,000
Modern replicas, not a restrike, not old or antique in any way, shape or form.
Very nice. Always wanted one. California history is appealing here. One of my favorites. Probably never own one. Congratulations!
Not sure this has an “exhaustive list.”
Found using the goog, copy/paste below.
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“California Coiners and Assayers”
by Dan Owens with Introduction and Appreciation by Q. David Bowers
5.75" x 8.75". ISBN:0-943161-85-1. 448 pp, hard cover, history of assaying and coinage in California in general and by company, companies include Aaron, Francis W. H., Baldwin & Company, Bell, Gerrit, (Gerritt), Broderick, F.W. Blake, Bowie, Joseph H., Cincinnati Mining& Trading Company, Dunbar & Company, Harris, Marchand & Company, Justh & Hunter, Knight & Company, Kohler, Frederick D., Meyer & Company, Kuh, Leopold, Moffat & Company, Moran & Clark, Pacific Company, San Francisco Mint. This book is out of print.
Description:
For the first time ever in a single authoritative volume, the story is told of coiners and assayers who created coins and ingots during some of the most pivital years in American history - the famous Gold Rush era. While much of California's Gold Rush era has been chronicled, Owens is one of the few to focus on the assayers, bankers and others who played an important role during this period. The study begins by covering the Californian Gold Rush and continues all the way to the end of its private gold coinage era. Through extensive research and documentation, Owens has created a groundbreaking work for the field of numismatics. This 448-page hardbound illustrated encyclopedic-style volume was compiled over a period of years by author, primarily from newspaper accounts, directories, shipping lists, and many other archives, and extracts historic and human interest aspects of this exciting time in American commerce. Stretching in alphabetic arrangement from assayers Aaron to Weigand, plus information about the characteristics of gold metal, the steamship trade, fires, gambling houses, the San Francisco Mint, and the makers of the wonderful gold bars recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America, this fascinating illustrated volume encompasses the time period 1848 to 1863. Published cooperatively by Bowers and Merena Galleries and Stack's (A Collectors Universe Company 2000). Issued at: $50.00 ISBN 0943161851.
The importance of the 448-page book is noted in the Introduction by Q. David Bowers:
"Every so often in numismatics a work is published that breaks new ground. After much unceasing, unstinting effort involving travel, correspondence, and other communications, and delving into long-forgotten directories and archives, Dan Owens has created a master work which will be used in the future as a source and standard reference. Now, for the first time in numismatic and western history, in one encyclopedic dictionary is told the story of coiners, assayers, and others who created gold in the form of coins and ingots, for use in commerce during one of the most pivotal eras of American history."
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1019410/ss-central-america-10-justh-hunter-gold-49er-horseman-pcgs-1857-0
I’ve a few too. Very beautiful coin/medal/restrict.
This is crazy. Somehow from reading the OP’s original post it prompted me to dream about the packaging the coins came in when they were issued. In my dream someone was offering the packaging without the coin and I ended up buying it. The packaging as I recall was shaped like a book so one could keep the coin on one’s bookshelf.
In the dream,however, the book included a number of actual pages in addition to the cut out rectangular insert for the restrike.
The item arrived shrink wrapped and when I opened it and started thumbing through the pages I came across several paper bills that had been stashed there by someone who once had possession of it. At least one of them I recognized as a valuable gold certificate of a high denomination.
I spent the rest of the dream contemplating what my course of action should be with regard to tracing the chain of prior ownership.
I recalled an actual prior incident where I found a Rolex watch that had been left on a washstand at the SEA-TAC airport which I left with the boarding agent as I boarded my plane so a PA announcement could be made. Despite my request I was never informed whether it ever was returned to its rightful owner.
That also brought to mind a subsequent real life finding on a plane of a cash filled wallet in the seat cushions that had been left from a prior flight. This time instead of entrusting/tempting an airline employee I called the airline in the event anyone had reported the loss. When I never heard back I attempted to track down the foreign owner from the names on the credit cards which venture proved successful.
So, getting back to the dream scenario, what would you do? I am sure someone on this forum has come across money hidden in a book or behind a picture frame as found in items acquired at an estate sale.
I just added this to the other thread:
If you look carefully under the Baldwin and co., you can see Justh and Hunter, along with the ingot number.
After looking at heritage auctions, I found the following ingot numbers were used:
.887 Justh and Hunter - All listed with a # before the number, not notation on the medal
.887 Justh and Hunter - 4293 - 106.08 oz.
.898 Justh and Hunter - 4258 - 197.26 oz.
.906 Justh and Hunter - 4050 - 715.85 oz.
.913 Justh and Hunter - 4220 - 676.22 oz.
.931 Justh and Hunter - 4330 - 185.88 oz.
.935 Justh and Hunter - 4282 - 266.88 oz.
.943 Justh and Hunter - 4328 - 255.25 oz.
I listed the weight shown in the S.S. Central America catalog.
Silver Die Trial - 50 made, need to examine one to see the reverse counter stamp
Pewter Die Trial - 12 made, need to examine one to see the reverse counter stamp
This would appear to make ten needed for a complete set.