A large, 155-year-old balance scale that weighed hundreds of millions of dollars in gold and silver in the 19th century at the Carson City, Nevada Mint, including bullion from the legendary Comstock Lode, was sold for $60,250 in an auction in Reno conducted by Holabird Western Americana Collections on November 24, 2024. The winning bid was placed by the Nevada State Museum with the backing of donors who pledged funds for the museum to outbid collectors from across the country during 30 minutes of intense bidding that opened at $12,500.
“This is an important and exciting acquisition for the Nevada State Museum in Carson City. Staff, particularly Dr. Christine Johnson and Dr. Josh Bonde, worked tirelessly to ensure this scale was returned to the Mint. This item will allow a more complete experience for our visitors. We are so delighted,” stated Dan Thiele, Nevada Division of Museums and History.
“Not only is this historic scale staying in Nevada, it is returning to its former home because the Nevada State Museum is housed in the same building that was used for the Carson City Mint,” said Fred Holabird, President of Holabird Western Americana Collections. “This is the original Carson City Mint bullion scale built for the United States Treasury Department in 1869 by the scale and balance manufacturer Henry Troemner and Company of Philadelphia. It was in operation the day the Mint opened in 1870. In addition to its important function at the Mint, the historic scale was later a featured attraction for decades at a casino in Sparks, Nevada.”
The Carson City Mint stopped making coins in 1893 and the Mint’s building that is now home to the Nevada State Museum was used as an assay office between 1900 and 1933. When the assay office closed, most of the contents of the old Mint were considered useless junk by the Treasury Department and subsequently discarded, according to Holabird.
“It is believed the five-foot-tall scale that was built into a waist-high table for ease in use at the Mint was acquired by a local resident and later became an attraction at the Nugget Casino that opened in Sparks, Nevada in 1955. The casino’s General Manager, John Ascuaga, purchased the casino from his boss in 1959 and continued to display the scale there. The Ascuaga family sold the Nugget Casino in 2013 but privately kept the historic scale intact, in perfect condition, and in full working order,” said Holabird.
“This is the most important numismatic artifact to surface in many decades and is truly a treasure found,” he stated.
Pre-auction stories about the big, antique scale attracted future auction items related to the Carson City Mint.
“A family contacted me and consigned a number of items that were handed down as heirlooms through generations: two letters of appointments signed by President Ulysses S. Grant for a melter and a refiner at the Carson City Mint, and two rare, nearly pristine silver dollars struck at the Carson City Mint. The discovery of more treasures awaits,” stated Holabird.
For additional information, contact Holabird Western Americana Collections by phone at (775) 851-1859 or visit online at www.HolabirdAmericana.com.
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