California Gold

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Is gold is so rare a mineral? Yes of course, since those who found it have always considered its monetary value, and they melted it.

On Dec. 7 and 8 in Los Angeles, Bonhams and Butterfields sell two gold crystals that remained unaltered, around 1 kg each, respectively estimated $ 125 K (Lot 1299) and $ 100 K (Lot 1298).

Lot 1299, measuring 17 x 10 x 7 cm, is particularly fine as a whole with an elegant curved shape and in detail with a very fine crystal that displays perfect cubes.

They are the two major pieces of a set of twenty samples. The press release tells the interesting history of the whole: it was the collection of the owner of a gold mine of California, who was in financial difficulties. In 1965, he announced it for sale in a local newspaper. The current owner bought the collection for a price four times higher than if gold had been melted.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

These beautiful gold specimens are less expensive than what the auction house expected. They have not been sold.