内华达州金山银锭 近未流通
Unparted Ingot, likely by Assayer Harvey Harris. Gold Hill or Silver City, Nevada. ca. 1864-1872. 43.5 x 16.2 x 0.41 mm. Current Weight: 58.2 ounces. Choice Extremely Fine.Light silver surfaces have been lightly cleaned in the past, though deeper gray toning in the recesses nicely accentuates the design. Plain and smooth on the reverse, with one area of light surface oxidation.
Sides are plain, though the top edge exhibits file marks and may have once featured the makers mark, though this is only supposition. One shallow fissure in the shield device is evidence that this side bore the original cooling depression, which was largely smoothed away before the mark was finished. Neatly ornamented around the periphery on both the face and back, with the usual fineness markers on the face.
The presence of the U.S. Internal Revenue tax stamp dates the bar to 1864-1872, when Harvey Harris is known to have been operating in Gold Hill (1864-1870) and/or Silver City (1868-1877), Nevada. Authenticity of assay bars is a common concern, so we present evidence here that this bar is, in fact, genuine. We are aware of two bars bearing the Harris name that have been marked with the U.S. Internal Revenue tax stamp (others exist without the stamp, which predate the requirement of the stamps use, including the famous Harris and Marchand bars from the wreck of the S.S. Central America). One of those bars was published by Edgar H. Adams in 1911, so we know that piece is authentic. It appeared in Part 21 of the John J. Ford, Jr. Sales at lot 3517. The tax stamp on this bar is an identical match to that seen on the Adams bar, and it is distinctive from other such marks seen in that it is missing a section of the circular border at the base. Close examination of other elements reveal these to be from the same punch. In addition, the dollar sign used on both of these bars is from the same punch, though it has been applied directly upside down on one bar. The "S" punch, indicating silver, is also identical on both bars.
Other punches differ somewhat, but the detailed evidence in what matches is unmistakable and speaks to an attribution of this unnamed bar to Harvey Harris.<p>The other referenced bar by Harris bearing the Internal Revenue tax stamp appeared in our June 1997 sale. It was also marked "H. HARRIS." The tax stamp is once again a direct match to the present bar, as is the dollar sign (here punched just as it is on the present bar). Other similarities may be found in the digit "9", the unusual sans-serif logotype FINE punch and the sans-serif style in the "OZ" punches.<p>These old Western assay bars are fascinating to study and collect, though there are few enough of them around to render either a considerable challenge. Each is essentially unique due to their hand-made nature and each has its own character. All are fascinating and rare artifacts of the old West. Aside from the few cases that such bars were finished as presentation pieces, the fact is that none should exist today. They were intended as an ephemeral form. Lucky for modern collectors, a few survived and have been passed down through the ages.
From our (Stacks) Americana Sale of January 2001, lot #1614. Lot tag included.
