AuctionsDec 02, 2022
Here’s How 2 Royal Jewels Performed at Auction in DenmarkAuctionsDec 06, 2022
Jewels from the Sunken ‘Ship of Gold’ Smash Auction Estimates
Holabird Western Americana Collections offered hundreds of treasures recovered from the S.S. Central America in its Dec. 3 sale.
This gold ring featuring a gold-bearing quartz sold for $14,400 (compared with a $1,000 estimate) in Holabird Americana’s recent auction of treasures from the sunken S.S. Central America.
Reno, Nevada—Bidding for the lost treasures of the “Ship of Gold” was strong in one recent auction.
The S.S. Central America sank off the coast of South Carolina during a hurricane in 1857 while traveling from Panama to New York City.
In addition to losing the lives of more than 400 of its passengers, tons of gold bars and coins from the California Gold Rush valued in the millions also went down with the ship.
Recovery from the shipwreck occurred in stages: between 1988-1991 and then again in 2014.
In a Dec. 3 sale, Holabird Western Americana Collections auctioned off gold jewelry, vintage clothing, and other historic items recovered from the site.
The top jewelry lots smashed their pre-sale estimates.
One highlight was a pair of gold watch case covers featuring customized California Gold Rush engravings—one side has a miner leading his pack burro with supplies away from Yerba Buena (the early settlement that became San Francisco) while the other shows the miner heading out of town with San Francisco in the background.
The pair sold for a total of $26,400 (including buyer’s premium), against a $5,000 estimate.
A gold ring with a 10 x 8 mm oval of gold-bearing white quartz went for $14,400, compared with its $1,000 estimate, and a rare medal/badge presented by the Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus, the world’s second oldest order of knighthood, went for $13,200, compared with a pre-sale estimate of $2,000.
See: Highlights from the S.S. Central America Auction
These two gold watch case covers were one of Holabird’s top lots, selling for $26,400 in the auction (compared with a pre-sale estimate of $5,000). One side has an engraving of a miner leading his pack burro with supplies away from Yerba Buena (the early settlement that became San Francisco) while the other shows the miner heading out of town with San Francisco in the background.
This rare medal/badge presented by the Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus, the world’s second oldest order of knighthood, went for $13,200 in the auction. It was estimated to sell for $2,000.
This gold pendant with a piece of gold-bearing white quartz mounted in a frame that allows the stone to spin sold for $11,100 against an initial estimate of $2,000.
There was also a double stickpin featuring two gold nuggets, each of which are soldered to a 1.5-inch stick pin, that are then joined by a four-inch gold curb chain, that sold for $12,000 against an initial estimate of $1,000.
A gold pendant made from a 25 x 22 x 4 mm piece of gold-bearing white quartz mounted in a frame that lets the stone spin on a horizontal axis and featuring an engraving reading “G.F.C. Banks” sold for $11,100 compared to a pre-sale estimate of $2,000.
A dome-shaped pinback with 15 irregularly shaped diamonds—with the largest at center, surrounded by seven slightly smaller diamonds and again by another seven smaller diamonds—in 18-karat gold garnered $8,400 at the sale.
There were also several rings with heart shapes that would’ve eventually been engraved with lovers’ initials that sold for above their estimates.
The auction also featured many other interesting items from the sunken ship.
The top lot of the sale overall was a pair of men’s work pants recovered from a trunk in the ship. According to Holabird, the five-button fly suggests they were an early manufacture of work pants sold by Levi Strauss and appear to be miner’s pants.
They went for $114,000 at the auction, more than doubling their pre-sale estimate.
A ring with three brass keys and a brass key tag engraved with “// S.S. Central America / Purser Hall / S. L. //” recovered from the purser’s safe went for $103,200; and a Wells, Fargo & Co. engraved treasure box lid—the only known piece of an original Wells Fargo gold treasure box from the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, according to Holabird—sold for $99,600.
To see the full results, visit HolabirdAmericana.com.
A second auction featuring hundreds of additional artifacts from the shipwreck will be held in February.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in FloridaLazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower PreservationA portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
CollectionsMay 01, 2026
A ‘Hidden Garden’ Emerges in Tiffany & Co.’s 2026 Blue BookOur Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
MajorsApr 30, 2026
Claire’s New Summer Campaign Is a Sensory Wonderland for Gen Alpha“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
