SOLD
15,000.00USD+ (2,625.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2017 Sep 19 @ 17:15UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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Perhaps one of the greatest non-numismatic artifacts of the California Gold Rush and the early San Francisco Mint. Gold quartz canes became a status symbol in California beginning in the 1850s, and were popular gifts for prominent members of San Francisco society. This is one of the earliest examples that we have seen, and is of the utmost historical importance, as it was presented to Dr. Lewis A. Birdsall, the first Superintendent of the San Francisco Mint, during the Mint’s first year of operation. Interestingly, numismatic publications often identify Birdsall as Robert – an error that seems to begin with Walter Breen; however, contemporary directories and other primary source materials list him as Lewis, which matches the inscription on the present artifact.
On the 30th of June, 1853, Dr. Lewis A. Birdsall was appointed first Superintendent of the United States Branch Mint at San Francisco, overseeing the conversion of the former U.S. Assay Office on Commercial Street into a fully functional Branch Mint. Operations commenced on April 3rd, 1854, with a deposit of 45.44 ounces of gold from Adams & Company; by the end of the year, the new Mint would produce over $4 million in coins. Birdsall was directly responsible for the production of the suite of early San Francisco proof coins known today, including the 1854-S Double Eagle and 1855-S Half Dollar proofs that reside in The Smithsonian Institute, as well as the unique 1855-S Quarter and $3 proofs currently in private hands.
The cane is 34 1/8 inches long, with a .61 inch diameter base, and a 1.65 inch diameter handle. The rosewood shaft is topped by an ornately engraved octagonal gold knob, capped with an exceptional piece of faceted gold quartz. The knob is engraved:
Dec. 25th 1854
Presented to Dr. L. A. Birdsall
Supt. U.S.B. Mint
By his Friends
Wm. M. Lee
John Knox
H. H. Lawrence
George J. Lee
Henry H. Lawrence arrived in California on June 16, 1849 aboard the bark Equator, becoming an employee of the Mint in 1854. In time, Lawrence was promoted into the Assay Department, earning the post of Assistant Assayer in 1865. After working as a private assayer and returning to the Mint, he was named chief assayer on July 1, 1889.
John Knox appears to have arrived in San Francisco on the Steamer Isthmus on September 15th, 1850. He is listed in LeCount & Strong’s 1854 San Francisco Directory as an agent for Harrison’s Flour Mills and Knox Oil & Camphene, later directories list him as a clerk.
George Lee appears in Parker’s San Francisco Directory of 1852, operating a saloon at 258 Dupont Street.
William Lee is listed in the 1852 Parker’s Directory as a trader, later appearing in LeCount & Strong’s 1854 Directory as a seller of stoves, tin and iron.
Auction Location:
5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, California, 95051, United States
Previewing Details:
auctions.kagins.com
Sales Tax on currency to non-dealers and coins under $1500 shipped to CA or $1000 to MD per tax accountant
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| CA |
6% |
California Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please allow 5-10 business once payment clears for you purchase to ship. Extra shipping charges for PO Boxes, Overnight, or International shipments.
Payment Details:
Invoice due upon receipt. Please allow up to 5-10 business days to ship once payment posts. There is an automatic 2.5% discount from auction fees when invoices are paid by cash or cash equivalent making your buyer’s fee still only 17.5%. Otherwise, the standard 20% buyer’s fee applies. Please make checks payable to Kagin’s, Inc.
Don’t forget, Kagin’s Auctions Loyalty Program gives you 1% of your invoice subtotal towards your next auction purchase! See Terms & Conditions for more details.
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00_Sep2017_WCA_FrMatter.indd 11 8/25/17 7:41 PM
xii Kagin’s Auctions
Terms and Conditions of Sale (Continued)
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