GOLD. Native Angels Camp, Angels Camp District, Mother Lode Belt, Calveras County, California, USA. ...

Description

GOLD
Native Angels Camp, Angels Camp District, Mother Lode Belt, Calveras County, California, USA

All too often, Gold specimens of historic note end up without the very data that made them more than just so many ounces of Gold bullion. A gentleman by the name of Charlie C. Crespi was president of the Bank of Italy in the early 1900's in the town that made Jumping Frogs and Mark Twain famous: Angels Camp. Such a position allowed a certain amount of "barter" with local miners and residents, temporarily short on: cash, food, housing, companionship or booze. Mr. Crespi thought enough of this chunk to hang on to it for a number of years. The form indicates that it formed over or around some crystallized material now dissolved away. It shows a series of discrete pits that mimic the wax cells of a beehive. Several "mashed" surfaces on the back and one side, very likely are the traces of the pick or chisel that first exposed it to view. The sparkling, hackly surface of the Gold shows the deep color of high-karat gold. It weighs 5.97 ounces troy and is all solid Gold with no other minerals.
Overall measurements: 2.75 x 1.75 x 1 inches (7 x 4.4 x 2.5 cm).

Provenance: Attard Minerals, ex. Charlie C. Crespi Collection [Hoppel # D0833]

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