Native American Indian Artifacts And Regalia

Native American Pot of Gold Estate Liquidation Auctions is proud to present an exciting collection of Native American Indian artifacts and regalia. In our Aug 25th on-line only auction and continuing through our Sept 1st, 15th, and 26th 2015 auctions you will find an amazing array of authentic, both historic and contemporary, items that are unique and rare.  (more…)

Giving “It’s Complicated” A Whole New Meaning…

Consider the following scenarios: Someone approaches you and explains that they have something that you want, and they are willing to let it go for a decent price!  Generally speaking, that would be something we considered a good thing, right?

Now, take the same scenario, and add one small variable to it. Let’s pretend now that the individual approached you, and wanted to sell you something that you wanted, but this time…they describe it as very complicated. Would that deter you from the purchase? What if we told you that there is an item that frequently makes the rounds in the world of antiques, and the more complicated, the better? Would that “tick” you off? What could we be “tocking” about?

watches

Clocks and watches (if you didn’t already know) generally speaking, have a gauge of “complication”, and the more complicated the better! (more…)

POG Meets Western Movie LEGEND, Don Collier

Don_Collier_Collage

It’s OFFICIAL!  Don Collier is POG’s new Spokesman!  Dan & Cheryl Todd recently had the extreme honor of meeting one of our favorite Classic Western Stars…Mr…Don…Collier!  Cheryl, Dan, and Don clicked and just knew they were a natural fit!  The new friends immediately began talking about how they could work together…and the liquidation of The Dutch Joe Ranch seemed like the perfect place to start!    Wagons, Buggies, Surries…and that rich, iconic voice of Don’s, with the slight Western drawl…MAGIC!  Read on…  (more…)

For The Love Of Locomotives…

Iconic Steam Engine Scene

Iconic Steam Engine Scene

Trains…they stir up visions of progress, travel, and even Christmas. Everyone has seen one in their lifetime, and people worldwide hold a reverent and sentimental place for what is probably one of the most iconic creations of the 18th century.

It was 1765 when James Watts invented the steam engine, and nearly a half century later, in 1804, Richard Trevithick took Watts’ idea, and applied it to mass transport, developing the first steam powered locomotive. However it wasn’t for almost another century (60+ years) that the idea to scale down and make “models” of trains was developed.

Since then model trains have become a niche attraction point for people of all ages. For some, “backyard” train sets, large enough to seat people, but small enough to not be considered a commercial operation are a lifetime work in progress, with pieces of track, and scaled down monuments added whenever the “conductor’s” budget allows.  Fortunately for these hobbyists, there are companies that specialize in this, and whose sole purpose is to help keep the dream of owning one’s own train alive and chugging along (Come on…one train pun is okay, right?).  (Read On…)  (more…)

Wagons, Buggies, and Surreys (With The Fringe On Top)…Oh My!

AZ Territory in the 1870s

AZ Territory in the 1870s

Two interesting entrepreneurs…one amazing ranch…a century of history…this is the story of Dutch Joe and Richard Bunger and their attempts to tame part of the truly wild west of Payson Arizona.  And, the next chapter of their story is your opportunity to own piece of History, as Pot Of Gold Auction liquidates nearly 100 wagons, buggies, surreys, stagecoaches, and other rustic and historic items from the Dutch Joe Ranch!

Nearly two decades before Arizona would become an official State, in the late 1800s, a man of German heritage came to the area of Payson, Arizona to stake his claim on the dream that would become the United States.  Joe Meyer, or “Dutch Joe” as he was known, homesteaded a section of land in the northern part of Arizona.  For some 60 years, falling somewhere in the period 1870-1928, “Dutch” Joe created history and legend on his land before he died a somewhat mysterious death at the age of 82.  (Read on…)  (more…)

Who Is Jimmy Yellowhair?

Yellowhair

Original Oil by Jimmy Yellowhair: Tungwup Ta-amu Kachina or Whipper’s Uncle Kachina, a guardian standing in front of a woven basket containing corn

If you are looking for some great Native American Indian original artwork to compliment your southwestern décor then look no further than Pot of Gold Estate Liquidation Auction. Coming up in just a few short weeks in our Nov 4th auction, 2014 for example we have not one but two pieces of original oil on canvas paintings by famed Navajo artist Jimmy Yellowhair.  If you do a quick internet search to determine where to find and buy work by this sought after artist you will be directed to several galleries and showrooms.

Jimmy Yellowhair is a Navajo artist from Houck , Arizona where he lives on the reservation in a hogan, which is a (Read on…) (more…)

Movin’ On Up…

jewelrytree  A little less than a decade ago Pot Of Gold Auction opened our doors as a small mom-and-pops venture.  Over the years we have sold a variety of items…an interesting mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly…but always with an eye to bringing in better and better consignments.  We always want to be accessible to bidders who have a smaller budget, while also appealing to high end clientele.  And sometimes a single item can bridge that entire span.  A simple “kitschy” item like the Jewelry Christmas Tree collage you see here is made of inexpensive costume, rhinestone jewelry, but because of the style and period the piece reflects it can actually command quite a high price to the right bidder! Read on…  (more…)

Kitsch or Cliché?

Kitsch

Photo borrowed from: http://inthemoodfortrend.blogspot.com/2011/05/taste-of-vintage-kitsch.html

kitsch
kiCH/
noun
 
  1. 1.
    art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.
    “the lava lamp is an example of sixties kitsch”
adjective
 
  1. 1.
    considered to be in poor taste but appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.
    “the front room is stuffed with kitsch knickknacks, little glass and gilt ornaments”

The other day the word “Kitsch” came up in a conversation.  The word seems to mean different things to different people, and is misunderstood probably just as much as are the objects the word is used to describe.  The “researcher” inside of me begged for more clarification, and sought to explore the world of Kitsch more deeply. (Cue dramatic Indiana Jones music). 

As I began to look into this unique term, I found that people commonly use this label on everything from Velvet Elvis paintings, to ceramic poodles, vintage Hawaiian decor, and even ornately carved oriental furniture!  Read on… (more…)

Mark’s Musings About Mint Marks

1922 "Plain" Lincoln Cent

1922 “Plain” Lincoln Cent, Little or No Trace of the D Mint Mark Visible

Did you ever wonder about that little “letter” below the date of obverse side of coins (or found on the reverse of some series)? That “letter” is better known as the “mint mark” designating the origin of the Official Mints or branches where the coin was actually minted (ie., Philadelphia, Denver San Francisco, West Point for modern era coinage and Carson City, Nevada, Charlotte, North Carolina, Dahlonega, Georgia, New Orleans, Louisiana, Washington, D.C.; and even in Manila, Philippines for historical coinage of days past).      Perhaps some background information is needed here…

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Mystery, Gold, and Auctions…

It’s been said that “mystery is a resource, like gold, and its preservation is a fine thing.”

Sometimes at Pot of Gold Auctions, mystery, gold and preservation intertwine…as was the case recently with an 1834 $2.50 Classic Quarter Eagle No MOTTO Gold piece.
1834 Classic Quarter Eagle

1834 $2.50 GOLD Classic, ANACS VF 30, Lot #369, July 15, 2014

 

Initially, this coin was received from one of our consignor’s in raw form; herein lays the “mystery”. The coin was not as brilliant and did not share the luster of similar gold coins, the fields were weak, grainy and dimpled, the reeded edge and rim appeared “off”; however the weight was correct at 4.18 grams and the diameter was exact at 17.50 millimeters and it was 180 years old! Questions began to arise… What was this coin’s history? Where had this nearly two century year old coin spent a good portion of its existence? And the flip side…Was it possible that this piece could be a “cast reproduction”, ie., a fake with no mysterious history at all? Read on…

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