Government Auction To Offer Fine Jewelry, Luxury Handbags, Timepieces Feb. 24

A large collection of gold coins, coveted designer handbags, fine jewelry and antiques headline the event. As a special incentive, bidding on most lots will open at only $2.  

TEHACHAPI, Calif. – Government Auction's Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 auction is brimming with top-quality, name-brand luxury goods, which will be offered to bidders online only through LiveAuctioneers.com. A large collection of gold coins, coveted designer handbags, fine jewelry and antiques headline the event. As a special incentive, bidding on most lots will open at only $2.

Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but what woman could resist the spectacular 14K gold 22.30 ct raspberry-red ruby and diamond ring that leads the fine jewelry section? The center stone – a large 21.56 ct oval-shape ruby – is surrounded by 16 round genuine diamonds and 16 round rubies, making it very much the statement piece. This elegant ring has an appraisal value of $31,600.

Another hot ticket for the ladies is a 14K gold 15.49 ct natural zoisite and diamond pendant. The zoisite, named after Austrian scholar Baron S. von Edelstein Zois (1747-1819), is an extremely strong gemstone from the tanzanite family. The main stone in the pendant is a stunning rectangular-cut natural green-violet zoisite that is surrounded by 114 round brilliant-cut natural diamonds having a total weight of 1.48 ct. The 14K gold chain is also included with the pendant. The appraisal value on this lot is $26,700.

Rolex, a name synonymous with precision and prestige, is well represented in this auction with seven fine timepieces from which to choose. A model that is already garnering a number of bids is a men’s Rolex Datejust watch. This Oyster Perpetual watch is crafted in stainless steel with a silver Sunray-finish dial. The box and all original papers are included in the lot.

Another Rolex highlight is a 14K gold ladies’ President watch with gold sundial and band. This watch also comes with its original box with papers of authenticity.

The coin category is led by a 1909-D $5 US Indian Head gold coin. Like most Denver Mint gold coins, the 1909-D is well struck and has a nice patina. What makes this coin unusual is that the design is “incuse,” or sunken in. Designed by Bela Pratt, the obverse features a Native-American Indian with full feather war headdress, while the American Eagle is shown on verso. The piece is composed of 90% gold and 10% copper.

Government Auction has developed an avid following amongst collectors of Louis Vuitton handbags, which are a staple in the company’s sales. The Feb. 24 auction includes a Louis Vuitton Lockit handbag. The purse is mostly black with transparent black sidewalls and two black leather top handles. The classic LV logo is monogrammed throughout.

The time is right for collectors to bid on an 1890s Ithaca Calendar clock entered in the Feb. 24 sale. Fully restored, this prized mantel clock has a separate face for days and month. Ithaca Clock Co., which was located in Ithaca, N.Y., originally focused on patents granted to Henry Horton. Ithaca clocks are highly regarded by collectors because, even though they were factory productions, each was a specially commissioned item made exactly to client specifications.

Additional auction highlights include a brass Model 130 NCR cash register, Gucci makeup bag, 5.00CT princess-cut diamond and 1873 $1 Liberty Head gold coin. The full inventory may be viewed online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

For additional information on any lot in the Feb. 24 sale, call Debbie on 661-823-1543 or e-mail info@governmentauction.com.

The auction will begin at 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time (9:30 a.m. Eastern). Bid absentee or live via the Internet on auction day at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

CAPTION:

14K gold 15.49 carat cushion rectangular cut natural zoisite and diamond pendant with chain. Appraisal value $26,700. Government Auction image.