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 Replies: 25 / Views: 2,622 |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
I have a client (I'm a retail jeweler) who has about 50 of these. They were from her great grandfather who mined in the Yukon. Is there any value beyond melt? Late 1800's. Thanks. JB (First post newbie.) Image:  goldplate.jpg9.08 KB |
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
Well if they are the real thing you can be guaranteed they are worth melt which is NOT a bad thing right now. Can you give us the dimensions and weight of these ingots as there may be collectors here who would be interested at spot price if you can come up with more info? Definitely a piece of history some of us might like to know more about or possibly own!
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
I am just curious as to what the size and weight of each one is..... I can not tell from photo. MM  Oh, and Welcome Aboard JB Edited by morganman
05/14/2006 10:20 am
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New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
Thanks, Terry and MM.
I have one at the store and will check the weight and dimensions tomorrow and let you know. If I recall, they are about 2x3 and weigh just about a troy oz. I may be way off since I haven't looked at it for a while.
I would hate to melt if there is historical value to them, but with gold where it is, I am scrapping out a lot of gold to raise some cash.
JB
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
if they are about a ounce a peice then they are going to be pretty wealthy (as per poor boy standards anyway)around 35k for just melt value for 50 of them at an ounce a peice. I have ingot silver bars and stuff like that (no gold) and as far as I know they are worth melt value, but that being said someone may still liike to have a peice of history like that and pay a little more for it so wait until someone else chimes in with an answer before you take my word to the bank
Edited by Bryan1315
05/14/2006 10:49 am
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
Well we must consider purity as well shouldn't we? Historically it would be a great piece to own so a certificate of authenticity would enhance the possible sale as well. Gold from the Yukon in the late 1800's, in my opinion, would make ownership far more attractive than melting it down? Just a thought!
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
2078 Posts |
I have been seeing some old bars on ebay germany and france I would not bid because the purity can be way off and the bars can be modern fakes with mostly copper in them If the bars are authenticated by someone who gurantuees purity and the fact they are more then 100 year old then I think they may auction 50% over melt Just a thought |
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
I think as for authenticity, I would say if the client KNOWS it was her great grandfather's and he did mine the yukon, they would be authentic. As for purity, that could be determined rather easily. I also would think these would go for more than melt because of their historical value. Of course, the question is, how well do you know the client? I would not melt them just yet.... MM |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by morganman
I think as for authenticity, I would say if the client KNOWS it was her great grandfather's and he did mine the yukon, they would be authentic. As for purity, that could be determined rather easily.
I also would think these would go for more than melt because of their historical value.
Of course, the question is, how well do you know the client?
I would not melt them just yet....
MM
MM: I know I can get a letter from the client as to authenticity and I did and acid test and it came out to at least 22K. I don't know how many she might be willing to part with, if any more at all, but she is in her late 60's so who knows? I don't plan on melting yet. I am excited with the response I have gotten on a Sunday morning. Looking forward to recieving more info in the days to come. This is a good forum you folks have here. Thanks. JB |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Hi JB Kaiser
It looks as if the gold was assayed by batch number, it may be traceable? 22kt is refined gold and should have some type of record.
Im not sure about added value historically, although I'm sure that the sentimental value runs high.
Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing pics of the little bars,,
Rick
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1703 Posts |
What a great piece of history. I would like to have one just as a piece of Alaskan,U.S. heritage.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1703 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by TLS5933
What a great piece of history. I would like to have one just as a piece of Alaskan,North American heritage.
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
Looks like you may have to set up an easy pay plan and accept orders right here!!! Actually as much as I hate to say this, if your client is interested in selling, your best bet would be to contact a major national coin auction house to see if they would be interested in a consignment. After they get done hyping them up you would probably be surprised at their worth! In the mean time we can dream of the easy pay plan!!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
As an Historian as well as an avid Coin Collector I will tell you that these definitely have historical value! I would NOT melt these down. They can be traced to what mine, when and so forth. A major Auction House should be contacted as well as the Assayers Office. Yes, the Gold is valuable, but add that on top of the historical value and you have quite an expensive collection. It may even be possible that the collection should be kept together and not parted with individually. (Although I would love to have one also).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Oh and a documented record of who your client's Gr, Grandfather was and how he obtained and kept these is of utmost importance to the collection. These could also be marketed to the Genealogy world as well. Your client should think long and hard before parting with these! If finances allow, your client should keep them.
My family parted with the 1st postumously awarded Congressional Medal of Honor belonging to my Gr, Gr, Gr Uncle. It is now in a little tiny museum behind closed doors and not even available for public view. I would do anything to have that Medal back but, the museum won't part with it.
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
O-K. I am at the store. The plate measures 1.5 x 2 inches and weighs .490 troy oz. In case your image is hard to read, it says "ROBERT:BENSON on top and BATCH.N:168 bottom line. Robert Benson was the Grandpa's partner and apparently he tried to cheat grandpa out of the ingots, but in the end, the family got theirs. I guess each great grand child got a bunch, so there must have been quite a few. I don't have any idea how many have been destroyed. I did look up Robert Benson on the net and he was mentioned on several sites as a Yukon miner and stake holder. I don't know if the client wants to sell more than the one I have, but depending on what comes up on this very informative forum, we will see... Thanks for all of the info. This is kinda fun! I am attaching a better image. JB Image: ingot01.jpg12.31 KB Edited by JB Kaiser
05/15/2006 1:20 pm
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Replies: 25 / Views: 2,622 |
Posted 05/14/2006 10:03 am
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