A visit to the San Francisco Bank of California gold rush museum

This small museum is located in the Bank of California building at 400 California Street,
near Sansome. The Greek style building dates from 1908.

The bank is now called the Union Bank but the old name remains engraved on the building.

It has lots of items from the time of the California gold rush in 1849 up to the early 1900's,
including many government and private gold coins and coin sets.

Also there are pistols used in a famous duel, photographs of early bank employees
functions, picnics, and other events.


Entrance


Main display room


Utah Mormon $5 gold coin with lion and Mormon alphabet


San Francisco Mint ingot 1865 21.59 oz.


Panama Pacific coin set 1915

The museum is open during banking hours and there is no admission charge.

 

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Pretty cool. Now if only I lived closer.

 

yes, if only I lived closer.


3,000 miles is a bit of a stretch

 

I saw it perhaps 20+ years ago. It sort of makes up for what the old SF mint used to have back when I was a kid - an amazing collection of pioneer era gold and artefacts and the million dollar gold bar display in one of the vaults.

If you are in SF you could then make appointments and take tours of the SF Federal Reserve branch there - another very cool exhibit - only time I have ever seen one of the $100000 gold certificates from 1934.

 

The Bank of California has quite a history in San Francisco and the Nevada silver mines. Founded by William C. Ralston, D.O. Mills was the president, and William Sharon was the Nevada agent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_California

 

Wonderful California gold slug $50. My stock broker is nearby.