Assayer: Harris,
Marchand & Co.
Gold Content: 295.20 Ounces
Gold Composition: 877 Fineness
Value in 1857: $5,353.73 Face value
Serial # 6458
Prior to the discovery of the SS Central America, absolutely no examples of this important assaying firm were known to survive. The bar in this set represents the largest of the 37 Harris, Marchand & Co. ingots recovered from the treasure of the SS Central America. Obviously the collector who acquires this set will have the finest set of Gold Rush ingots available - including anything that is now displayed in any museum.
Its Origin
Harris, Marchand & Co. established the first assaying firm at 107 J Street in Sacramento in October of 1855. Both partners of this firm, Harvey Harris and Desire Marchand emigrated from Europe and were highly skilled in the profession of assayer prior to the establishment of their company.
Harris held positions of refiner-melter at the U.S. Mints in both New Orleans and San Francisco. He also held similar positions at three assay companies in the San Francisco area.
Marchand was trained at an early age and ultimately passed an examination at the Paris Mint. He subsequently registered his private stamp (clearly visible at the center of the bar) an "all seeing eye" with rays emanating from the center. It is interesting to note that the stamp displays his name "MARCHAND" on the upper half, and the certification as "ESSAYEUR" (reflecting his French certification) with two stars separating the inscription (the significance of the stars is unknown). The stamp with the name "HARRIS MARCHAND & Co" became the maker's mark for the firm.
The establishment of an assaying firm in Sacramento was met with favorable comment from the Sacramento Union on October 4, 1855:
"An assay office, the likes of which in this city has long been a source of delay and expense to our citizens-has been established by Harris, Marchand & Co., on J Street, between 4th and 5th streets. We visited their establishment yesterday - the first of active operations - and were shown two credible specimens of labor, ingots No.'s 1 and 2."
Within a month Harris, Marchand & Co. had lost their monopoly within the Sacramento community. Another firm, Blake & Co. established an office just down the street and immediately cut into the market. Harris and Marchand expanded in January the following year closer still to the gold fields - in Marysville.
The firm continued to expand in 1858, with the establishment of a third branch in San Francisco. In 1859, near the end of the Gold Rush, the partnership was dissolved and Harris assumed control of all three locations and eventually passed away in Gold Hill, Nevada on February 12, 1894. Marchand continued assaying in the gold fields near San Francisco, where he passed away in 1901.
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