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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,760 |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
I'm interested in possibly buying some gold dust or small nuggets from the shipwreck that was found in the 1860's California gold rush. I've looked on ebay and cannot find any dust for sale. I want it in a PCGS slab. Does anyone know where I can find it? Thank you |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
671 Posts |
Can you get..umm..dust in a PCGS holder?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
Only if they don't seal it properly.....:-) sorry could not help myself.....
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day, I think you'll find that so-called gold-dust gets melted into ingots pretty quickly after it's collected. Even if it's not done in metallurgically-pure circumstances, it is more secure for accounting and transportation purposes.
Nuggets often survive intact, especially if, in the eye of the beholder, the shape has some eye-catching feature.
Peter
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I would love to see gold dust in a PCGS slab--or would it get "bodybagged"?  How does one go about grading that? Sorry...couldn't resist. Btw, I live in California and have spent a lot of time in "gold country" A lot gets passed off as 49'er era that isn't. I suppose a direct provenance such as a shipwreck is better--since even gold nuggets get faked now that prices fetch much higher than gold content. |
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
I have seen these at the major shows ie.Long Beach, Santa Clara,Ca. FUN in Orlando should have. PCGS has encapsulated small samples of gold "dust" and small nuggets from the S.S. Central America wreck which sank in I believe 1857 off the coast of Georgia during a Hurricane. The example I have seen lately was at the Long Beach show last year for $120. It was if I recall, about 5 grams of dust. The other had a single small nugget of 5 grams as well. Obviously they are not graded, but does state on the holder "S.S. Central America". Almost bought just to have one myself. They are out there, keep looking  . swcoin.ecrater.com
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Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
How in the world does PCGS know that it's legit after 150 years of passing thru several peoples hands? And even if it is....what's the significance anyways of just dust or nuggets?
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Valued Member
United States
486 Posts |
Back when the SS Central America was discovered they had all the coins and assayer bars authenticated and slabbed by PCGS. They even slabbed some gold flakes and nuggets from the discovery. If memory serves me correct Monaco Financial received most of the SS Central America pieces and sold them over the years. You can try seeing if they have any miners flakes or nuggets left for sale but most of the shipwreck items have been sold to collectors.
I remember some kind of commemorative silver coin that was released a couple of years ago that had a placer miner on it. In the miners pan is an actual gold flake from the California gold rush. -PP
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
I'm not sure of the name of the company that did the main exploration and eventually the discovery of the S.S. Central America. https://www.shipofgoldinfo.com is a pretty good site with lots of info. You can even purchase items. The nuggets, dust, and coins were all verified by the exploration company and a main financial institution(can't remember of hand the Co.) that took possession. To answer your question GO, I do quite a bit of recreational gold prospecting here in California and have a small nugget collection of my finds. Gold nuggets account for 1% of all gold mined and are worth 25% more in their specimen state than if you were to melt them down. I have to admit, $120 for 5g. is a bit much. I think you are paying for the most part for the fact it's in a PCGS holder S.S. Central America. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
"The example I have seen lately was at the Long Beach show last year for $120" 5 grams, or approx. 0.16 troy ounces = $146.28 current value. Not bad--and I thought people were getting robbed. I personally like the native gold samples with quartz--very typical of the "mother lode" and harder to fake. |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
They sure are pretty! Especially with the quartz. As soon as I am able, I will put a couple pictures of some personal finds.  swcoin.ecrater.com
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
I tried recreational gold dredging. It's a lot like recreational ditch digging.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
Quote:
"The example I have seen lately was at the Long Beach show last year for $120"
5 grams, or approx. 0.16 troy ounces = $146.28 current value. Not bad--and I thought people were getting robbed. Natural gold nuggets of fine quality are unique and gold purity varies. Gold nuggets can be found from 70% to 95% pure, depending on the mix of other minerals with the gold. |
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Valued Member
 United States
106 Posts |
OK guys, I can't seem to figure out how to order these from any of these websites. Do I have to actually call the number?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day,
quote: "I tried recreational gold dredging. It's a lot like recreational ditch digging."
- ahhh the intrinsic delight of digging holes ...
Peter
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
You may have to wait for a show in your area. I would continue to watch ebay, though. |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,760 |
Posted 08/01/2008 6:51 pm
