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Catalog Data

Physical Description:
gold (overall metal)
0 (overall die axis)
0 (overall die axis measurement)
Measurements:
overall: 2.4 cm x 4.1 cm x .4 cm; 15/16 in x 1 5/8 in x 5/32 in
Object Name:
Coin
ingot
Place made:
United States: California
Place of issue:
United States: California
Date made:
1850
Associated date:
1850
Description (Brief):
One (1) 41.68 dollar ingot
United States, 1850
Obverse Image: N/A
Obverse Text: F. D. KOHLER / STATE ASSAYER / CAL 1850 / DWT. 46 / CARAT 21 3/8 / CTS $41.68
Reverse Image: N/A
Reverse Text: N/A
The authenticity of this object is in question.
Description:
The discovery of gold in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill spurred a great wave of migration to California. Hundreds of thousands of people traveled to the territory from around the world to strike it rich. Competition for mining stakes led to tensions among the gold seekers, often resulting in discriminatory actions toward the Chinese. Increasing competition and varied pricing for gold resulted in the creation of the Office of State Assayer, Melter, and Refiner of Gold by Governor Peter Burnett, which tested the ingredients of gold and produced ingots stamped with their value. Frederick D. Kohler, a jeweler and volunteer fire fighter from New York City, moved to California in 1849 and started a private assayer firm with David C. Broderick. When the State Assay Office was created, Governor Burnett appointed Kohler as California’s first and only State Assayer in 1850. Approximately 5,000 ounces of gold were deposited with Kohler on the first day that the State Assay Office opened, with larger quantities following including several counterfeit nuggets. Congress soon replaced the State Assayer Office with the United States Assayer Office in 1851.
Credit Line:
Estate of Josiah K. Lilly
ID Number:
NU.68.159.1153
Accession number:
283645
Catalog number:
68.159.1153
See more items in:
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
Josiah K. Lilly Jr. Collection
Many Voices, One Nation
Exhibition:
Many Voices, One Nation
Exhibition Location:
National Museum of American History
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-82b5-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1101603