U.S. ASSAY OFFICE AT NEW YORK GOLD INGOT

   

Paul Horner writes:

1935 United States Assay Office at New York Gold Ingot. Round Dated Hallmark. No. 29666. Lot A2220. 402.796 ounces (total weight), .9969 fine. Additional Hallmark of Mocatta & Goldsmid Ltd., London. 175 mm x 85 mm x 41 mm, rectangular. 401.547 ounces AGW. An exciting and historic offering from Stack's Bowers Galleries. This is the largest gold ingot from the New York Assay Office ever offered by an auction firm in the United States and one of the largest Assay Office ingots available for private ownership. With 12,528.30 grams of .9969 fine gold, this ingot dwarfs all other offerings that we are aware of, the largest of which is 28.7 ounces. In recognition of its incredible size, outstanding eye appeal and historical significance, Stack's Bowers Galleries has named this imposing piece the Big Apple Ingot.

The front-facing side of this ingot features most of the stamps, including the round dated hallmark of the United States Assay Office at New York at the viewer's left. Interestingly, the word ASSAY is double punched. Above the hallmark is the fineness expressed as FINE / 996.9, while in the top center is the lot number A2220. Below the lot number is a second hallmark - MOCATTA & GOLDSMID / LTD. / LONDON / BULLION BROKERS. The ingot number, 29666, is on the left edge of the bar. All stamps are firmly and evenly impressed, the design elements crisp and fully legible.

All faces exhibit a beautiful color in a medium golden-yellow. Casting imperfections are few and far between, the most visible of which are the cracks formed at the bottom of the bar as the metal cooled. These are quite beautiful and beg to be viewed up close while running a finger over the textured surface; they enhance the character and uniqueness of this ingot. Handling marks are light with minor corner wear and light scrapes associated with stacking and moving this bar over the past eight decades.

   

Gold ingots such as this were made by the United States Assay Office for use in international trade, as confirmed by the second hallmark from the London, England firm of Mocatta & Goldsmid on the present example. As with their silver ingots, the Assay Office at New York achieved a particularly high level of quality in production, from casting to stamping. Such quality is readily evident and best appreciated in this large and imposing example. Its offering by Stack's Bowers Galleries represents a rare and exciting opportunity for the specialist, be they a serious investor in gold bullion or an advanced collector of United States Assay Office ingots.

 

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