Artist Brad Rude was commissioned in 2013 by John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Resort to create this solid silver pig, which weighs 102 troy silver ounces and should sell for $10,000-$15,000. Courtesy
A piece of Nevada memorabilia goes on the auction block Nov. 21-27 when a silver pig presented to John Ascuaga is up for sale.
The solid silver statue weighs 102 troy silver ounces and should bring in $10,000-$15,000, according to Holabird Western Americana Collections.
The statue was presented to Ascuaga in honor of his involvement in the 25th Nugget Rib Cookoff, the largest such event in the world, held in 2013, according to the auction house. Artist Brad Rude was commissioned in 2013 by Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Resort to create the figural ingot.
“This is one of our largest auctions, moving into new territory in the field of Americana, with thousands of lots,” said Fred Holabird, the president and owner of Holabird Western Americana Collections. “Opening bids range from about $40 to $10,000 or more.”
To manage their way through the catalog, Holabird recommends viewing the table of contents in the Virtual Catalog.
That can be accomplished by logging on to https://online.pubhtml5.com/esfe/ntoe/#p=1. Online bidding is on iCollector.com, Invaluable.com, Auctionzip.com and LiveAuctionbeers.com. Start times all seven days are 8 a.m.
One lot Holabird said could produce keen bidder interest will come on Day 4 in a Carson City Branch Mint Troemmer special bullion balance scale used from 1870-1893. The 31-inch-tall balance was built into a waist-high table for ease of use at the Mint. The set, with two framed signs, was on display at the Nugget Casino in Nevada for about 70 years. It’s the most important numismatic artifact to surface in many decades and is estimated to be worth anywhere from $25,000 top $50,000.
“We’ve implemented some new auction methods to continue selling quality collectibles in more than 60 collecting genres, as well as expose collectors to new collecting areas they may not have been familiar with,” Holabird said. “It makes collecting fun and educational. Also, we are great at getting and developing new collectors, a critical element in all collecting fields.”
In addition to internet bidding, telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. Color catalogs are available by calling 1-844-492-2766, or 775-851-1859. Anyone owning a collection that might fit into a Holabird Western Americana Collections auction is encouraged to get in touch. The company has agents all over America and will travel to inspect most worthy collections.
