C. Wiegand, Assayer. Gold Hill, Virginia City, Nevada. Silver & gold assay ingot no. 110.
SOLD
SKU
Weigand457
55.7 x 20.9 x 6.8 mm
82.2 gms
C.WIEGAND / ASSAYER at center, in his typical small punches. Above, the weight (2.70 ounces), and purities (Gold .27 FINE; SILV. 870 FINE) are given. Below Wiegand's mark he gives the value breakdown, GOLD $1.56 (34%); SILV. $3.04 (66%); VAL. $4.57, in three lines.
Overall appearance of Extremely Fine. No important marks requiring mention. This bar looks like a presentation ingot that was never used as such. Medium silver gray in color with somewhat bright surfaces. Squared edges, sharp corners, ornamental pattern around face and back. Wiegand's smaller ingots all seemed to possess the same regular dimensions.
This particular ingot was purchased by Ron Gillio at the Pasadena, California show in November, 1975, sold to Fred S. Werner during the Central States Numismatic Society convention in Milwaukee on May 13, 1977, consigned to NASCA's Allan Scott Collection sale (April 28, 1980, lot 2446), and subsequently bought by Mr. Ford prior to being purchased by the present owner.
NOTE:
A number of precious metal ingots remain today as a testament to this troubled, yet apparently brilliant man. Perhaps ten different silver ingots exist, mostly from the Gold Hill Assay Office. A few may have originated from the short-lived Virginia City office. At least five gold ingots exist from Wiegand’s Gold Hill Assay Office, all dated 1865 or 1866, which was during the initial period of his Comstock assay business, and during which time Wiegand pushed the specie in payment issue in preference over greenbacks.
Much has been written of late on Wiegand, but little of it coming from detailed research. Wiegand’s historical record clearly demonstrates that he made many presentation ingots including one to Sam Clemens. More importantly, he was an outspoken proponent of specie as money. He constantly pushed the “specie as money” concept in the press, in public speeches, in printed pamphlets, and in his own newspaper. From his early days working for the Branch Mint at San Francisco to his last days on the Comstock, Wiegand promoted the use of gold and silver.
| Grading Service | NONE |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | NONE |
| Denom Type | N/A |
| Numeric Denomination | $4.57 Ingot. Gold $1.56; Silver $3.04. 2.70oz |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Not Specified |
| Strike Type | N/A |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
