30091: João Prince Regent gold Ingot of Vila Ric

João Prince Regent gold Ingot of Vila Rica 1816 AU, Vila Rica (Minas Gerais) foundry, Prober-1816-V-736 (this piece), Bentes-B.134 59x13mm. 20.04gm. Assayer Antonio Delfim da Silva (ADS). Only the second gold ingot of this assayer that we have ever offered, and an incredibly captivating specimen at that, each of the added assay stamps carefully applied and deeply impressed, with light tinges of die rust in the Portuguese arms. Few of these iconic ingots survive in any condition, largely due to the astonishing gold production of colonial Brazil, leading to rampant minting and melting of newly mined specie, a survey of the known population from our August 2013 sale recording 219 specimens. The Minas Gerais (literally, "General Mines") Gold Rush at the turn of the nineteenth century was the first notable movement of the Brazilian population since the first discovery of the mines in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Initially, the Portuguese central government allowed the mining operations provided the quinto (20% tax) was duly paid and this legislation was effective between 1700-1713 but, understandably, not popular. The law of February 11, 1719 authorized the much needed creation of new casas de fundacao (foundries) in the new state and reestablished the quinto for gold dust while forbidding the circulation of gold that was not refined in the casa de fundacao. These measures, aiming to tighten the control of the crown over the exploration, resulted in the 1720 uprising in Vila Rica. The operation of gold melting and creation of the ingots was crafty and careful, each ingot accompanied by a detailed certificate or Guia, while the ingot itself also provided all relevant information: thus the present piece from Vila Rica (the bifacial punch to the left of the obverse) - identified by its year 1816 and its individual number N(umero) 736 - was the 736th bar produced in 1816 at that foundry. The indicated fineness is of 23 carats (Toque 23) and the theoretical weight is of 5 eighths and 46 grains (indicated as 5 - 46). All of this is certified by assayer Antonio Delfim da Silva (his monogram ADS is found at the top right on the obverse). This lot is sold with a photocopy from Prober's 1990 work. Ex. Abner Kreisberg (offered to Hans Kochman in March 1963); Waldo Newcomer Collection, Part I (Morgenthau Gallery, February 1935, Lot 118 [misattributed to Serro Frio]) HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved