wells fargo lead inget????

[cladkiller]

Ive had this lead inget or what appears to be lead?for some 28 years, it says Wells Fargo express bonded 1852 Bankers on the front with an eagle holding what appears to be wheat stalks in its tallens,
on the back it has an eagle over a shield stamped into the inget.
ive never taken it to anyone to look at it , but i did contact wells fargo and they have now idea of its origin?
So i figured i would post it on the whatz-it forum , any info would be appreciated
Thanks
David

 

[Stanl]

I'd have that ingot tested, might be silver...?
Why would anyone put all of those marks on lead...??

 

[Larry (IL)]

In doing a search I found.......... "Wells Fargo & Company Express never issued any ingots, bars, or bullion with their mark".

It could be a souvenir ingot or once silver plated, there are some fake Wells Fargo "silver" bars floating around.

 

[cladkiller]

Thanks larry , thats kinda where i got with my search, just curious if someone else might have one and now its story!!!
David

 

[GoGoGopher]

Might be someones attenpt at copying the marks, or faking an ingot...

HH,

 

[GpSnoopy]

I would go along with the premise that it's a fake item produced to sell to unwary collectors or tourists.

This from the Wells Fargo History site...... http://www.wellsfargohistory.com/resources/faqs.htm
And as mentioned here already, Wells Fargo never made or stamped bars for circulation as money.

Because the Old West resonates so much with people, things that seem authentic can be "made" authentic by applying another Western personality on them: Tombstone, Dodge City, Buffalo Bill

 

[cladkiller]

Thanks Larry & Gpsnoopy, appreciate the feed back! great link you posted Gpsnoopy, very informative!
David

 

[407floyd]

There are some Wells Fargo paperweights out there. The ones I've seen are brass, but about the same size. They picture the stage coach mainly but I'm sure there have been other versions.

 

[edjcox]

Send pictures to Wells Fargo Historical Services
420 Montgomery St. A0101-026
San Francisco, CA 94163

They can tell you more about it....


Or sell it to me for $20.00

 

[deweyparks2007]

I also have a simular item, Not too sure what we have here but the local pawnshop tested it as 90% TIN 1% SILVER & 9% LEAD.
willing to sell!!!!

 

[Aarong81]

I also have a simular item, Not too sure what we have here but the local pawnshop tested it as 90% TIN 1% SILVER & 9% LEAD.
willing to sell!!!!

Sounds like you could solder with it. Maybe it was minted with silver bearing solder.