General Grant’s $1.6M Gold & Silver Sword: Civil War Treasure

The Ultimate Civil War Treasure: General Ulysses S. Grant’s Gold & Silver Sword

In 1864, twenty-six diamonds, pure silver, and gleaming gold came together to create what the St. Louis Dispatch called ‘The Most Beautiful And Costly Sword Yet Manufactured In This Country.

Ever wondered what a Civil War general’s masterpiece looked like? Well, grab your coffee because we’re about to dive into one of the most remarkable pieces of American precious metals history: General Ulysses S. Grant’s presentation sword from 1864. And believe me, this isn’t your average ceremonial blade.

Materials and Construction

Let’s talk about the precious metals craftsmanship in this masterpiece. We’re looking at an extraordinary work crafted from pure silver and gold – yes, pure silver and gold. The artisan behind this creation? A St. Louis silversmith named Henry Folsom, who clearly understood the importance of his commission.

Notable Features

– 26 mine-cut diamonds creating Grant’s monogram
– A spectacular amethyst centerpiece
– Elegant gold sunburst design
– Pure silver grip sculpted into the goddess Victory

For those following the precious metals market, here’s something interesting – this sword recently sold for $1.67 million! That’s quite an appreciation for a 160-year-old piece of military history.

Historical Significance and Provenance

This wasn’t just any ceremonial sword – this was presented to Ulysses S Grant when he became “General in Chief of the Armies of the United States” in 1864. For perspective, only George Washington had held this rank before. The citizens of Kentucky collectively funded this commission, making it a truly remarkable piece of American history.

Artisanal Excellence

The 33-inch blade is where the artistry truly shines. It’s adorned with detailed battle scene engravings depicting everything from artillery firing to cavalry charges. The silver grip features an American eagle with spread wings perched above Victory herself. It’s essentially a historical narrative crafted in precious metals.

Military and Numismatic Significance

This sword represents something truly special – the perfect fusion of pure precious metals with historical significance and exceptional craftsmanship. While we focus on our modern bullion collections, this piece reminds us that precious metals can transcend their material value to become something far more significant.

The sword’s recent sale price demonstrates how precious metals, when combined with historical significance and superior craftsmanship, can appreciate well beyond their intrinsic value. Though of course, this is one piece that will never see a melting pot!

Investment & Auction History

While the historical and craftsmanship value of this sword is incredible, let’s talk numbers that will really interest precious metals investors. On June 24, 2007, this masterpiece sold at auction for an astounding $1,673,000.00 – including buyer’s premium. This was actually a floor bid, meaning someone was physically present at the auction to place this remarkable offer.

This sale demonstrates something fascinating about precious metals when combined with historical significance: their value can far exceed their raw material worth. While we often focus on spot prices and premiums in our regular bullion investments, pieces like this show us how historical provenance and exceptional craftsmanship can multiply the value of precious metals exponentially.

Final Thoughts

So next time someone questions the potential of precious metals investments, remind them about the time Kentucky citizens commissioned this extraordinary gold and silver sword with 26 diamonds for their legendary general.

What do you think, fellow collectors? Would you rather have this sword or its equivalent weight in gold bars? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor’s Note

The sword, after passing from General Grant’s family in the 1960s through renowned collector Jay Altmeyer, found its home in the Donald Tharpe Collection in 1989, remaining there until 2007 when it was sold at Auction for $1.6 Million US Dollars.

Photos Sourced from https://historical.ha.com/