CALIFORNIA GOLD

El Dorado County

The California Gold Rush was precipitated by news of the discovery of gold in 1848 by James Marshall at Coloma, on the south fork of the American River in El Dorado County. Thousands of prospectors descended upon El Dorado County and in the 1850's it was one of the most populous areas of the state. Placer deposits started the gold rush, but lode discoveries in quartz veins, contact metamorphic deposits and replacement deposits within the Mother Lode, East Belt and West Belt prolonged gold exploration in the County. Gold production data for the period of 1848 to 1880 is unavailable, but from 1880 to 1960 over 1.25 million ounces of gold were produced. (Ref: ;Principal Gold-Producing Districts of the United States-USGS Professional Paper 610, Koschmann and Bergendahl, 1968.)

1027. California. El Dorado County. Garden Valley District. .45 troy oz., 1.5 x .75 x .25. This exceptional specimen consists of flattened, twinned octahedral crystals to 1 centimeter that have grown in an arborescent group. Ex-F.J. Barlow Collection. This specimen was described in detail in the book on the F. J. Barlow Mineral Collection, SANCO Publishing, 1996, Chapter 7, Page 190, Specimen #5290. Est. $3,000-$4,500

Mariposa County

Mariposa is the southernmost of California's Mother Lode counties. Gold production from the period of 1880 to 1960 was approximately 2.15 million ounces; with roughly 25% of the production total coming from placer deposits and 75% being recovered from lodes. (Ref: ;Principal Gold-Producing Districts of the United States-USGS Professional Paper 610, Koschmann and Bergendahl, 1968.)

1028. California. Mariposa. Mockingbird Mine. .73 troy oz., 1.5 x 1.25 x .5. The Mockingbird Mine has yielded superb crystallized gold specimens for over 100 years. Mining for specimen gold has been particularly active since the 1980's. This superb specimen features sharp, bright crystals of gold on a massive quartz matrix. The largest individual crystal, an octahedron, measures 5mm across. Est. $1,700-$2,500

Nevada County

The most important gold producing district in Nevada County, California and among the largest lode gold producing deposits in the United States, is the Grass Valley-Nevada City District. In October of 1850, the first lode deposit was discovered in the county at Gold Hill which is on the outskirts of what is now the town of Grass Valley. Lode mining was not economically successful in the early years of the district. Placer mining and the working of gold-rich Tertiary gravels by hydraulic methods was the preferred method of gold recovery. By 1867, however, 1600 men were working the lode mines and running stamps to crush the lode ore. Production from the Grass Valley-Nevada City District during the period 1850 to 1960 is estimated at 2.2 million ounces of placer gold and 10.4 million ounces of lode gold. (Ref: ;Principal Gold-Producing Districts of the United States-USGS Professional Paper 610, Koschmann and Bergendahl, 1968.)

1029. California. Nevada. Grass Valley. 1.36 troy oz., 1.75 x 1.25 x .25. This specimen features a 3.5 x 2.0 x 0.7 cm mass of sponge gold on quartz matrix. Minor sulfide mineralization (pyrite, arsenopyrite, etc.) occurs within the sponge gold and matrix rock. A bright, attractive specimen! Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $500-$900

Placer County

Placer County is chiefly known for its placer gold deposits. Gold was discovered in 1848 in Auburn Ravine. In the 1850's, placer deposits in the American River and its tributaries were worked. Lode mining is centered primarily in the Ophir District, where 255,000 ounces of gold were produced from first discovery in 1867 to 1960. Total gold production for the county from 1880 to 1960 was in excess of 2 million ounces. (Ref: ;Principal Gold-Producing Districts of the United States-USGS Professional Paper 610, Koschmann and Bergendahl, 1968.)

During the decades of the 1980's and 1990's gold specimen aficionados have been treated to spectacular, new crystallized gold from the De Maria Mine in the Michigan Bluff District of Placer County. Hundreds of feet of drifts have been driven in an attempt to intersect clay-filled quartz pockets that contain the crystallized gold. Many of the gold specimens have been collected and carefully trimmed so that

they retain some of the milky quartz matrix rock. Other gold crystal specimens are discovered suspended within the pocket clay, having no point of attachment to the matrix rock. These ;floater crystal groups often exhibit some of the finest crystal development. Crystal habits and forms from the De Maria mine include: dendritic, leaf, plate, octahedral and a variety of other euhedral crystal forms. The crystals typically have great luster and color.

1030. California. Placer. Michigan Bluff District. De Maria Mine. .21 troy oz., 1.25 x .75 x .25. This attractive ;floater specimen features highly lustrous, bright yellow gold in both the dendritic and leaf forms. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $950-$1,500

1031. California. Placer. Michigan Bluff District. De Maria Mine. .23 troy oz., 1.25 x .75 x .75. This aesthetically pleasing matrix gold specimen features a small spray of bright yellow gold crystals rising from a matrix of milky quartz. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $400-$750

NEVADA GOLD

Humboldt County

In 1999, the state of Nevada produced 3/4 of all the gold mined in the United States. Numerous, large open pit gold mines are operating in north-central Nevada. These mines are exploiting several large Carlin-type deposit trends including the Getchell Trend, Humboldt-Austin Trend, Carlin Trend, Valmy Trend, Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend and others. Newmont Mining Corporation's Twin Creeks Mine, for example, currently the third largest gold producing mine in North America, has an annual gold production of nearly 1 million ounces. Unfortunately, for the collector of fine gold specimens, gold occurs in these Carlin-type deposits primarily as finely disseminated, microscopic gold intermixed with a variety of sulfide and oxide minerals. Several localities in Nevada are, however, currently yielding attractive crystallized, native gold specimens.

1032. Nevada. Humboldt. 1.42 troy oz., 1.5 x 1.25 x .5. This specimen features a dense cluster of fine dendritic gold crystals that have been acid-etched from the enclosing quartz. A thin layer of quartz matrix provides a base for the specimen. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $850-$1,500

RUSSIAN GOLD

Gold was first discovered in Russia in 1745 when four little flakes of gold were found near Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains. This specimen is from the Berezovsk mine, a lode gold mine developed near the site of this first discovery. The Berezovsk deposit has medium-sulfur ores that formed at moderate depths. In such deposits, the sulfide content can reach 40%, with associates including: pyrite, arsenopyrite, sulfides of copper, zinc, lead and minerals containing silver, antimony, bismuth and tellurium. Gold associates with practically all of the ore and gangue minerals present in the system; forming impregnations, intergrowths, veinlets, and segregation along mineral grain contacts. Gold generally forms in the last stage of ore deposition. Mining continues to this day at the Berezovsk deposit. (Ref: ;Gold: Nuggets of Russia by Lyudmila S. Sher, Ocean Pictures Ltd., Moscow, 1999.)

1033. Russia. Yekaterinburg Oblast. Central Ural Mountains. Berezovsk. .14 troy oz., 1.25 x 1 x 1.5mm. Crystallized gold specimens from Russia's lode deposits are desirable for their scarcity. This specimen features two intergrown, flattened dendritic fans of small, crudely-formed gold crystals. No rock matrix is present. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $400-$800

Russian Placer Gold

Despite the initial discovery of gold in the mid-1700's, the Russian gold industry did not really blossom until large placer gold deposits were discovered during the early to mid-1800's. Large gold placer discoveries were first made in the Urals, and by 1823, approximately 200 placer mines were in operation. A series of gold rushes followed that pushed placer gold mining in Russia further and further to the east. Major placer discoveries were made in the Altai-Mariinsky region (1830), the Transbaikalia area (1832), the Yenisei river basin (1839), the Lena River-Siberia (1843), and the Amur area (1868). Russia led the world in gold production from the 1820's until 1850 when the production from the Mother Lode district of California vaulted the United States into the lead.

The Russian placer nuggets listed below came from lodes that contained low-sulfur ores. Quartz making up 90-98% of the ore, sulfide mineralization amounting to 1-5% of the vein mass and gold contributing the remaining percentage. These quartz-rich veins often had openings (pockets, vugs, seams) of sufficient size to enable the growth of large gold crystals. Despite being stream-worn, many nuggets from the Russian placer deposits exhibit remarkable crystal form preservation. The aesthetic beauty of these nuggets makes them highly desirable to gold specimen collectors. (Ref: ;Gold: Nuggets of Russia by Lyudmila S. Sher, Ocean Pictures Ltd., Moscow, 1999.)

1034. Russia. Siberia. .80 troy oz., 1.25 x .75 x .5. A very attractive, moderately stream-worn cluster of octahedral gold crystals. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $500-$800

1035. Russia. Siberia. .38 troy oz., 1 x .75 x .25. A highly sculptural, bright, stream-tumbled gold nugget. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $225-$350

1036. Russia. Siberia. .52 troy oz., 1 x .75 x .5. A very bright, 3-dimensional placer gold nugget, having cavernous depressions that formerly held small quartz pebbles. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $300-$500

1037. Russia. Siberia. .32 troy oz., .75 x .5 x .5. A sculptural placer gold nugget. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $150-$300

1038. Russia. Siberia. .94 troy oz., 1.5 x 1 x .25. A heavily stream-worn, triangle-shaped, placer gold nugget. Only the slightest hint of original gold crystal forms have survived. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $450-$700

1039. Russia. Siberia. .42 troy oz., .75 x .75 x .5. An attractive stream-worn gold nugget with minor associated quartz pebble fragments. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $275-$500

1040. Russia. Siberia. 1.19 troy oz., 1.5 x .75 x .25. An unusually fine, stream-worn crystallized gold specimen. This superb placer specimen exhibits complex crystallization and appears to terminate in an octahedral form. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $900-$1,500

1041. Russia. Siberia. .48 troy oz., 1.5 x .5 x .25. A superb, sculptural, stream-worn placer gold specimen. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $400-$650

1042. Russia. Siberia. .31 troy oz., 1 x .25 x .5. A wonderful thumbnail-sized, moderately stream-worn, crystallized gold specimen. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $300-$450

1043. Russia. Siberia. .32 troy oz., .75 x .5 x .25. A very fine, moderately stream-worn, crystallized gold specimen. This aesthetically pleasing specimen is a complex, dendritic cluster of small octahedral gold crystals. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $300-$450

1044. Russia. Siberia. .36 troy oz., 1 x .75 x .25. A highly sculptural, bright, stream-tumbled gold nugget. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. Est. $230-$350

MEXICO GOLD

1045. Mexico. Chihuahua. Ramos. San Julian Mining District. .22 troy oz., 1 x 1 x 6mm. An exceptional specimen consisting of delicate radiating fans of finely reticulated dendritic gold crystals. The specimen has a fine satiny luster that is caused by the parallel growth lines of the dendrites. Absolutely spectacular under 10x magnification! While the Ramos District is a name not currently in use, the name ;San Julian and the original specimen acquisition date match well with the now defunct San Julian high-grade vein mining district that was located near the Chihuahua-Durango border, southeast of the more well-known Guadalupe y Calvo District. Ex. Bally Collection. Ex. F.J. Barlow Collection. This specimen was photographed and described in detail in the book on the F. J. Barlow Mineral Collection, SANCO Publishing, 1996, Chapter 7, Page 183, Specimen #5705. Est. $1,000-$1,500

Exchange Club, Beatty, Nevada. Nevada Gold and Silver Specimen Collection

Bullfrog, Nevada

1046. Nye. Bullfrog. 4.50 troy oz., 2.25 x 1.75 x 1. Brilliant crystalline gold in thick vein with limonite and vugs. 14 Est. $1000-3000

1047. Nye. Bullfrog. 0.92 troy. 1.5 x 1 x .75. gold barely visible. Less than 10%. 48. Est $50-150

1048. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.65 troy oz., 2.25 x 1 x .75. Crystalline gold on fracture surfaces. This is the smaller half of the original piece. 24. Est. $250-350

1049. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.69 troy, 2 x 1.5 x 1. Disseminated fine gold in vein with limonite rind. Possibly 10% gold. 17. Est. $350-700

1050. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.06 troy oz., 3.25 x 2 x 2. Crystalline gold in limonite and quartz after calcite. . 15. Est. $150-250

1051. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.21 troy oz., 2.25 x 1 x .75. Fine crystalline gold on fracture surfaces. Vugs. 23. Est. $300-500

1052. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.26 oz. troy, over 10% gold, perhaps 30%, 2 x .75 x .75. Mostly fine grained sponge to interlocking gold crystals with several herringbone crystal groups. 42. Est. $500-750

1053. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.52 troy, 2 x 1.5 x 1. About a third ounce troy gold. Native gold in quartz after calcite and barite. 38. Est. $500-750

1054. Nye. Bullfrog. 4.21 troy oz., 2.75 x 1.75 x .75. gold in quartz in altered Rhyolite. Over 50% by weight gold. 32. Est $1000-3000

1055. Nye. Bullfrog. 4.56 oz. troy, 2.75 x 2 x 1. Gold in quartz breccia. About 15% gold, fine grained. . 29. Est. $500-700

1056. Nye. Bullfrog. 5.25 oz troy, 2 x 2 x 2. Gold in quartz breccia with rhyolite fragments. Perhaps 10% gold. Est. $350-700

1057. Nye. Bullfrog. 6.38 troy oz., 3 x 2.25 x 2. Gold in quartz veins with limonite and vugs. 8. Est. $500-1000

1058. Nye. Bullfrog. Three pieces, total weight is 2.40 troy, each piece is roughly 1.5 x 1 x .5. Two pieces have very fine grained loosely interlocking gold crystals. One has a gold bearing iron oxide veinlet. 55. Est. $350-600

Montgomery Shoshone

The following three appear to be from the same location:

1059. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.30 troy oz., 1.75 x .75 x 1.25. Bright small leaves and wires in vuggy quartz breccia. 31. Est. $400-700

1060. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.19 troy oz., 2.75 x 1.5 x 2.25. gold in quartz with calcite. 45. Est. $200-400

1061. Nye. Bullfrog. 6.70 troy, 2.75 x 2 x 1.5. Fine grained crystalline gold in quartz breccia with quartz lined vugs. 7. Est. $750-1500

Pioneer Mine

1062. Nye. Bullfrog. 3.09 troy oz., 3.25 x 1.75 x 1. Beautiful gold wire in limonite filled fracture. Choice brilliance. 41. Est. $300-600

Denver Mine (?)

1063. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.06 troy oz., 2 x 1.75 x 1Fine gold in limonite with pink rhyolitic matrix 11. Est. $400-600

South Bullfrog(?)

1064. Nye. Bullfrog. 3.18 troy oz, 2 x 1.5 x 1.25. Silver with galena in breccia— resembles the specimen in Mackay collection. 51. Est. $50-75

Bullfrog (?)

1065. Nye. Bullfrog. .92 troy oz., 1.5 x 1 x .75. Very fine grained, loose interlocking gold crystals in quartz. Rhyolite host rock. 53. Est. $150-300

1066. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.07 troy oz., 1.75 x 1 x 1.5. Gold in limonite with altered rhyolite. 36. Est. $100-300

1067. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.08 troy, 1.25 x 1 x .75. Rounded, water-worn well crystallized gold quartz vein piece. 27. Est. $200-400

1068. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.12 troy oz., 1.75 x 1 x .25. Water worn, high silver sponge gold (electrum) in vein with limonite. 30. Est. $200-300

1069. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.37 oz. troy, 1.5 x 2 x 1. Bright brilliant gold in white bull quartz with pocket. Gold is less than 10%. This specimen could be Tramp or Montgomery Shoshone among others. 48. Est. $250-500

1070. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.50 oz. troy, 2.5 x 1.25 x .75. Fine gold along fracture surfaces in heavily oxidized limonite. Est. 34. $75-150

1071. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.50 oz. troy, less than 10% gold, 2 x 2 x .5 Gold in quartz vein 0.5 wide with limonite and Rhyolite matrix. 2. Est. $150-300

1072. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.72 oz. troy, 2.5 x 1.5 x .25. Gold vein exposed in altered rhyolite. About 30% gold. 4. Est. $450-700

1073. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.83 troy oz., 1.75 x 1.25 x 1.25. Gold quartz vein 1.75 long and up to .5 across exposed on one face on rhyolite host. Medium to fine grained, loosely interlocking to isolated gold crystals. 57. Est. $200-400

1074. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.84 troy oz., 1.5 x 1.25 x .5. Brilliant crystalline gold in altered matrix, probably 60% gold by weight. Est. $400-600

1075. Nye. Bullfrog. 1.98 troy oz., 2.25 x 1.75 x .75, about 10% crystalline gold in limonite with rhyolite. 16. Est. $400-750

1076. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.12 troy oz., gold content, less than 10%. 1.5 x 1.5 x 1. Rhyolite tuff breccia with zones of crystalline gold, rough on three sides, cut and polished on one. 56. Est. $50-100

1077. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.19 troy oz., 2.5 x 1.75 x 1.25. Gold in quartz with calcite, limonite, gypsum crystals on surface. 46. Est. $100-300

1078. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.39 troy oz., 2 x 1.25 x .5. Slightly water worn quartz vein piece with fine grained interlocking gold crystals with a few herringbone crystal groups. One of these stand out of quartz and is silver in color possibly due to amalgamation with mercury. 44. Est. $500-1000

1079. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.56 oz. troy, less than 10% gold, 2 x 1.5 x 1. Gold in quartz breccia with limonite. Crudely formed gold crystals— must be abundant gold not exposed on surfaces due to high density. 60. Est. $150-300

1080. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.71 troy oz., 2.25 x 2 x 1.5. Iron oxide stained quartz vein with well formed gold crystal groups in a rhyolite host rock. Abundant visible gold about 20%. Tramp? 52. Est. $400-800

1081. Nye. Bullfrog. 2.78 troy oz., 1.75 x .75 x 1.25. fine grained gold in vein with limonite. 21. Est. $500-900

1082. Nye. Bullfrog. 3.58 troy oz., 2.5 x 2.25 x 1.5. Mottled black quartz with numerous tiny gold blebs. 61. Est. $25-50

1083. Nye. Bullfrog. 3.67 troy oz., 2.5 x 2.25 x .75. Fine grained crystalline gold in vein with small quartz crystals. Classic Bullfrog district. 28. Est. $500-1000

1084. Nye. Bullfrog. 3.84 oz. troy, 2.25 x 1.75 x 1.5. Brilliant crystalline gold in limonite matrix. Looks like Tramp high grade. 33. Est. $500-1000

1085. Nye. Bullfrog. 5.02 troy oz., 2.5 x .75 x 1.5. Pale, silvery colored fine grained spongy gold (electrum) in a vein, probably more than 50% by weight gold. Limonite. 19. Est. $750-1200

1086. Nye. Bullfrog. 6.56 troy, 2.75 x 2 x 1. Crystalline gold vein in an altered sugary quartz matrix. Cut on one end. Some good wires. Less than 10% gold. Looks like Gold Ace. 40. Est. $1000-3000

1087. Nye. Bullfrog. 8.81 oz. troy, minor gold, 3.25 x 1.5 x 2.5. Tiny, isolated native gold crystals and wires in quartz breccia. 3. Est. $100-150

1088. Nye. Bullfrog. Three pieces, 3.57 troy oz., 2 x 1.5 x 1.5. Gold on fracture surfaces in minor quartz vein with limonite gangue. 59. Est. $300-600

Tonopah (?)

1089. Nye. Tonopah?. 0.88 troy oz., 1.5 x 1 x .5. Worn mass of native silver with worn euhedral crystal at one end. 1. Est. $100-300

1090. Nye. Tonopah?. 3.87 troy, 2.25 x 1.25 x 1.75. Fine grained gold within quartz vein in brown rhyolite matrix. Cut on one side, polished on three. 9. Est. $100-200

Unknown

1091. Unknown. .69 troy oz., 1.5 x 1.25 x .75. Native silver with small erythrite(?) crystals. 47. Est. $50-75

1092. Unknown. 0.57 troy oz., two pieces about 1 x .5 x .5 with native silver and an erythrite(?) crystals. Austin? 25. Est. $75-150

1093. Unknown. 0.98 troy oz., 1.5 x .75 x .75. Brilliant crystalline gold in a very dark limonite and quartz matrix. 22. Est. $200-400

1094. Unknown. 1.88 troy oz., 3 x 1.5 x 1.25. Slag with smelting process glazed glass on surface. Glass has abundant beads of silver. Probably from Tonopah or Austin. Est. $50-75 54

Austin, Nevada. Manhattan mine, which included the Oregon and Florida Mines

1095. Lander. Reese River. 1lb., 11.2oz, 5 x 3 x 1.5. Large specimen with native silver. Probably 50-70% silver. 10. Est. $500-1000

1096. Lander. Reese River. 3.81 troy oz., 2.5 x 1.75 x .75. Cut on one side. Matches one of the faces on the above lot. About 40% native silver, classic Austin. 43. Est. $75-150

1097. Lander. Reese River. 4.36 oz. troy, 2 x 1.5 x 1.5. Native silver in white calcite vein. 58. Est. $100-300

1098. Lander. Reese River. 8.75 troy oz., 3.5 x 2 x 1.25. Cut on two sides. Much native silver— over 50%— in quartz matrix, typical of Austin deposits. 5. Est. $200-400

1099. Lander. Reese River. 8.86 troy oz., 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5. Ruby silver, raw specimen with over 60% silver. 18. Est. $150-300

Unknown silver

1100. Lander. Reese River. (?) 5.52 troy oz., 3 x 2.25 x 1.75. Native silver in granitic rock, possibly from Austin. Est. $75-150

EAGLE'S NEST GOLD

1101. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 0.08 troy ounces. 22mm. Platy leaf gold. No matrix. Est. $150-300

1102. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 0.08 troy ounces. 25mm. Quartz matrix with leaf gold wrapped around. Est. $120-200

1103. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 0.11 troy ounces. 25mm. Leaf gold, with some small mirror faces. Est. $200-300

1104. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 0.25 troy ounces. 50mm. Elongated, platy gold with quartz matrix at one end, approx. 11mm long. Est. $750-1200

1105. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 0.35 troy ounces. 35mm. Triangular quartz matrix with bow-shaped gold leaf at peak. Est. $250-400

1106. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 0.40 troy ounces. 35mm. Attractive, randomly oriented bright leaf gold. Hummocky. Est. $750-1200

1107. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 1.36 troy ounces. 50mm. Good XL, great luster. Quartz mass with bright pockets of leaf gold. Est. $120-200

1108. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 120 troy ounces. 30mm, quartz matrix with a vertebrae of gold wrapping around. Est. $350-550

1109. California. Mother Lode. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 6.1 grams. 32mm. Bright platy gold, with several mirror faces. Not euhedrals. Est. $350-550

1110. California. Mother Lode. Eagles Nest Gold Quartz Specimen. Quartz is 64mm x 62mm x 10mm. Back side of quartz Appears to have manganese (?). Gold is 61mm x 60mm. Leaf gold has abundant small quartz pieces embedded. Leaf projects from one edge of the quartz in a stunning display. Mostly platy, possibly some euhedral crystals. Would be a fantastic display piece. Est. $8000-12,000 35

RED LEDGE

The Red Ledge gold mine is located on the eastern side of the Melones fault zone-serpentine belt in central Nevada County. Gold was discovered at the site in 1907. The mine has produced crystallized gold, rich sulfide gold ore, which assayed at several thousand dollars per ton. Over the years the mine has produced numerous large crystallized gold specimens, many of which have been preserved in museums and private collections.

1111. California. Nevada. Washington Red Ledge Mine Gold. 0.5 troy ounces. Small 5mm gold pieces. Est. $350-550

1112. California. Mother Lode. Eagles Nest. Eagle's Nest Mine Gold. 0.83 troy ounces. 40mm, quartz matrix, with Cyprus-shaped gold. Gold has small quartz within. This piece is actually an Eagle's Nest Piece. Please see previous section. Est. $180-250 13

1113. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 0.04 troy ounces. 20mm. Irregular shaped gold leaf. Est. $65-130

1114. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 1.1 grams. 15mm, bowtie shaped. Leaf gold with dark edges. Est. $50-75

1115. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 1.2 grams. 10mm. Anhedral quartz leaf gold. No matrix. Est. $50-75

1116. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 1.7 grams. 15mm. Anhedral quartz leaf gold. No matrix. Est. $60-90

1117. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 13.6 grams. 45mm. Attractive leaf gold Est. $700-1000

1118. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 2.4 grams. 20mm. Leaf gold. Some small quartz in the center. Bright gold. Est. $100-150

1119. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 2.7 grams. 20mm. Leaf gold. Est. $100-150

1120. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 3.3 grams. 15mm. Anhedral quartz leaf gold, with small spires of gold, no wire. No matrix. Est. $120-200

1121. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 3.4 grams. 20mm. Leaf gold. Est. $120-200

1122. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 3.6 grams. 25mm. Anhedral quartz leaf gold. No matrix. Est. $150-250

1123. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 3.7 grams. 25mm. Leaf gold. Some small quartz blebs within gold. Est. $150-300

1124. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 6.4 grams. 30 mm. Anhedral quartz leaf gold. No matrix. Est. $250-350

1125. California. Nevada. Washington. Red Ledge Mine Gold. 8.1 grams. 35mm. Leaf gold, two-toned. Est. $250-400

NEVADA

Reese River

1126. Nevada. Lander. Reese River. Reese River Silver. 70mm. Native silver (?) in host rock along fracture planes. Est. $150-300 32

1127. Nevada. Lander. Reese River. Reese River Silver. 70mm. Silver rich ore specimen, with quartz intermixed throughout. Est. $100-200

1128. Nevada. Lander. Reese River. Reese River Silver. 9.82 troy ounces. Vein Siler attached to country rock. Classic exploration field piece. 85mm. Est. $150-300

Tonopah

1129. Nevada. Nye. Tonopah. Tonopah Silver. Lot of 2 pcs. 50.4 grams, 45mm; 1.58 troy ounces, 50mm. Classic highgrade Tonopah silver ore. One has a cut face. Quartz gangue visible. Est. $300-550

1130. Nevada. Nye. Tonopah. Tonopah Silver. Lot of 2 pcs. 81.7 grams, 50mm; 0.93 troy ounces, 50mm. Classic highgrade Tonopah silver ore. Est. $250-500

1131. Nevada. Nye. Tonopah. Tonopah Silver. 9.5 troy ounces. 80mm. This came from the Charles Joseph collection. It is potentially one of the best Nevada silver specimens that was in private hands-fh. Crater-shaped vugs abound. Est. $1200-2500

1132. Nevada. Nye. Tonopah. Tonopah Silver. Lot of 2 pcs. 1.9 troy ounces, 45mm; 30mm, 28.4 troy grams. Classic highgrade Tonopah silver ore. Est. $200-400

1133. Nevada. Nye. Tonopah. Tonopah Silver. 8.6 troy ounces. 45mm x 50mm x 50mm. Oxidized silver minerals. Appears to have once been slabbed on one of the sides. Unidentified white mineralization, possible a clay mineral. Est. $200-400 34

Misc. Nevada

1134. Nevada. Elko. Mountain City. Rio Tinto Mine Cuprite Specimen. 50mm. Unique, attractive. Est. $100-150

1135. Nevada. Humboldt. 10 Mile District Gold Quartz Specimen. Spectacular 10 Mile District gold specimen. 128mm long x 28mm x 34mm. Several hexagonal quartz crystals. Gold leaf (resembles seaweed leaves) wraps around one end. Several lithic fragments of host rock. Euhedral quartz and gold development suggest mineralization in an open space or vug, possibly a fault. Stunning. Would be a fantastic display piece. Est. $4500-8000

1136. Nevada. Humboldt. National. National Mine Gold. 1.06 troy ounces. 30mm. Highgrade, visible gold ore specimen. Est. $500-1000

Comstock

1137. Nevada. Storey. Virginia. Adriatic Mine Gold Specimens. Lot of 4 specimens. Rare. Visible gold. See above note by FH. Provenance: Spargo Collection. Est. $300-600

1138. Nevada. Storey. Comstock. Adriatic Mine Gold Specimens. Lot of 4 specimens. Rare. Visible gold. See above note by FH. Provenance: Spargo Collection. Est. $300-600

1139. Nevada. Storey. Virginia. Adriatic Mine Gold Specimen. Extremely rare. Visible gold. I had the pleasure of working on this property about 1991-92. After spending a serious amount of time on the geology, it appeared there was a classic low-grade gold deposit here. We acquired the claim fractions that we didn’t already own and began a drilling program which hit a significant 10-oz p/ton gold pocket near or in the Adriatic/Brophy boundary. After viewing these high-grade gold specimens mined by Mr. Spargo, it appears we may have found a faulted extension missed by the old timers. This is exactly the kind of high-grade necessary to help make a small open pit mine profitable. (FH.) Provenance: Spargo Collection. Est. $200-400

1140. Nevada. Storey. Virginia. Adriatic Mine Gold Specimen. Extremely rare. Visible gold. Fred Holabird worked on this property in 1991-92. After spending a serious amount of time on the geology, it appeared there was a classic low-grade gold deposit here. We acquired the claim fractions that we didn’t already own and began a drilling program which hit a significant 10-oz p/ton gold pocket near or in the Adriatic/Brophy boundary. After viewing these high-grade gold specimens mined by Mr. Spargo, it appears we may have found a faulted extension missed by the old timers. This is exactly the kind of high-grade necessary to help make a small open pit mine profitable. [FH] Provenance: Spargo Collection. Est. $200-400

Nevada, Olinghouse

1141. Nevada. Washoe. Olinghouse. Olinghouse Gold. 6030 Bench, 813 Pit. Mounted. Nice wire gold on host rock. Est. $100-300

1142. Nevada. Washoe. Olinghouse. Olinghouse Gold. Mounted. Nice wire gold on host rock. Est. $100-200

1143. Nevada. Washoe. Olinghouse. Olinghouse Gold. Mounted. Nice wire gold on host rock, with some calcite. Est. $100-200

1144. Nevada. Washoe. Olinghouse. Olinghouse Gold. Mounted. Nice wire gold. Est. $300-500

1145. Nevada. Washoe. Olinghouse. Olinghouse Gold. Mounted. Wire gold on host rock. Est. $150-250

Nevada, Humboldt

1146. Nevada. Humboldt. Ten Mile. Stormy Gold Specimen. Mounted. 1.5 grams. Attractive specimen. Est. $50-150.

1147. Nevada. Humboldt. Ten Mile. Stormy Gold Specimen. Mounted. Host rock with cluster of pseudo crystalline gold. Est. $100-200.

1148. Nevada. Humboldt. Ten Mile. Stormy Gold Specimen. Mounted. Very attractive host rock enveloped by wire gold. 12.65 grams. Est. $300-500.

1149. California. Mariposa. Colorado Quartz Mine Gold Specimen. ;The Unicorn, mounted elongated, approx. 30mm tall, solid gold mass. Est. $600-1000.

Canada

1150. Canada. Ontario. Red Lake Mine Gold Specimen. Mounted. Gold coated host rock. Est. $50-100.

1151. Canada. Ontario. Red Lake Mine Gold Specimen. Mounted. Host rock with quartz, visible gold. Est. $50-150.

1152. Canada. Ontario. Red Lake Mine Gold Specimen. Mounted. Gold coated host rock. Est. $100-200.

1153. Canada. Ontario. Red Lake Mine Gold Specimen. Mounted. Gold on quartz and host rock. Est. $100-150

1154. Canada. Ontario. Red Lake Mine Gold Specimen. Mounted. Gold on host rock, elongate specimen. Some quartz embedded within gold. Est. $50-150.

1155. Canada. Ontario. Red Lake Mine Gold Specimen. Mounted. Blocky specimen with visible gold on host rock. Est. $50-150.

These specimens come from the famous Round Mountain GMC open pit that was discovered as high-grade gold within the benches. Because of their discovery, geologists today use metal detectors on the benches and leach pad looking for these quality specimens. We offered several in our sale last year, and proved to be popular among our collectors. We are pleased to have them again.

1156. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. 2 nice leaf gold specimens. 40mm, and 30mm. 0.16oz. Est. $180-350

1157. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Wire gold with quartz crystals on matrix. 10x10mm. 0.37oz. Est. $250-500.

1158. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Large Crystalline gold specimen, with quartz. 20x40mm. 0.77oz. Est. $450-900.

1159. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Four small wire leaf gold specimens, with quartz. All about same size. 0.22oz total. Est. $180-350

1160. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Small gold crystals on gold leaf base. 25x35mm. 0.30oz. Est. $200-400

1161. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Three small wire leaf gold specimens. About the same size, 0.12 oz.. Est. $150-300.

1162. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Three wire gold specimens with leaf gold. All about the same size. 0.24oz total. Est. $180-260.

1163. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Three very nice wire gold specimens. Wire gold specimens from Round Mountain are rare because most go to the crusher. 0.31oz. Est. $200-400

1164. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Three crystalline gold specimens. 0.44oz total. All about 20-25mm. Est. $275-550.

1165. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Seven different attractive small wire gold crystalline and leaf specimens. Total weight is 0.29oz. All are about 10mm. Es.t $250-500 wireleaf.tif

1166. Nevada. Nye. Round Mountain. Two Gold Leaf Specimen, one very bright, bronze color, the other typical gold coloration. Classic leaf. 20x20mm approx. .12oz. Est. $150-300.