G. Blake Assayer, Sacramento, California 1854 $19.8 Gold Bar, 900 THOUS
Assayer Sacramento California
The present ingot is more akin to a $20 gold piece however, thus more interesting even if not made in the 19th century as a real monetary unit.
Only one of two known in this style. The other being a larger ingot (below).
G. Blake Assayer, Sacramento, California 1854 $33.68 Gold Bar, 900 THOUS
It is interesting that the gold ingots are stamped with “G. Blake” instead of “Blake & Co”.
This slightly larger example is seen in the John J. Ford Jr book by Karl Moulton “The Franklin Hoard”, page 181 – it is with stamped value of $33.68, and the same year 1854.
Blake & Co., Assayers, Sacramento, 1856, Die Trial in Lead (FAKE)
Die trial in lead. Illustrated on page 335 of the Kagin reference (where it is listed as being in white metal). Unique. Extremely Fine or better condition, virtually as issued, but with normal light oxidation and with cancellation marks across the face.
The obverse consists of an inscription in several lines: CALIFORNIA / 1856 / BLAKE & CO. / GOLD / THOUS. FINE / VALUE / DOLLS. CTS. The whole, in the form of a prepared punch, is framed by a rectangular border.
The back consists of the inscription BLAKE & CO., curved, impressed five times, each inscription above the other.
[03/1982] https://archive.org/details/henryhcliffordco1982bowe/page/n33/
Blake & Co., Assayers, Sacramento. Trial. 1856, Die Trial in Lead (FAKE)
Trial impression in lead of a prepared punch designed for impressing ingots, illustrated on page 336 of the Kagin reference. Unique. Extremely Fine or better, virtually as issued. With normal oxidation and with cancellation across front.
The impression, uniface, consists of the following inscription in several lines: CALIFORNIA / 1856 / BLAKE & CO. / GOLD / THOUS. 900 / VALUE / DOLLS.
[03/1982] https://archive.org/details/henryhcliffordco1982bowe/page/n33/
1.80oz 1866 Blake & Co $3.04 Silver Ingot
While several REAL Blake & Co ingots exist in both gold and silver / mixed metal, this is not one of them. This is a modern forgery made to look like a Blake. It was previously owned by Josiah K. Lilly Jr. and donated to the Smithsonian Institution along with his entire collection.
Obverse Text: POORMAN / BULLION / OWYHEE / U.S. INTR. REVENUE / 1866
Reverse Text: BLAKE & CO ASSRS. / OZ. 1.80. / S.F. 9 73 / G.F. 021 / $3.04
See: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1102759
5.48oz 1866 Blake & Co $14.48 Mixed Metal Ingot No 326
Obverse Text: NO 326 / BLAKE & CO ASSRS. / OZ. 5.48 / S.F. .895 / G.F. .072 / VAL. $14.48
Reverse Image: Shield and scales.
Reverse Text: U.S. INTR. REVENUE
From the Josiah K. Lilly Jr. Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.
See: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1102764
12.18 oz Blake & Co Mixed Metal Ingot No 1320
Obverse Text: NO. 1320 / BLAKE & CO ASSAYERS / OWYHEE, I.T. / OZ. 12.18 / G.F. .020 / S.F. .970 / G. $5.03 / S. $15.27
Reverse Text: [cursive inscription] To Joel & Sarah A. Palmer. From Cyrus & Mary E. Jacobs.
Picture unknown.
See: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1102778