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Auction: 326 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 847

Thorne Mining and Refining Company Silver Ingot. Undated, 2.51 ounces, .9998. Fine. Here is a small, well executed ingot from this rare source. The upper obverse bears the company imprint followed vertically as follows: MONETARY VALUE/ 3 DOLS. 23 CTS/ CONTAINS/ 2.51 OZS. TROY/ GOLD .000/ FINE SILVER .9998/ SERIAL No 224. Balanced shades of pale to medium grey bathe smooth, entirely defect-free surfaces. Though many experts claim that the ingots from this maker are a creation of the 1950's (much the same as the Eagle Mining Company ingot offered above), there are references that place the origin of such bars to a Thorne Mining and Refining Company allegedly active in the 1890's in the Eureka District of Arizona- Prescott (although the accuracy of these references has been highly questioned as of late, as there is no concrete reference material confirming the existence of a company bearing this name in any Prescott records of the period). It has been pointed out by ingot specialists such as Fred Holabird that the style of the bars from this maker lends itself to a later origin. Conversely, Holabird also points out that he has uncovered similarly named (though not exactly named) companies from the turn of the century that could bear a connection to these ingots. Further research is certainly warranted and it remains possible that an early origin for these bars is not out of the question. Regardless of the uncertainly regarding the time of manufacture, the importance and desirability of such ingots amongst collectors remains crystal clear.

Sold for
$475