Talk about a bar with a lot of history! In 1939 Nicholas Deak emigrated to the United States and opened up Deak & Company, a foreign currency exchange firm. During World War II, Deal had some time to to the CIA, but details are if course a bit sketchy as to what he was doing for them. The CIA might have even been a financial backer for his company at one point.
After the war, they expanded into precious metals, and over the years faced allegations of money laundering, bribery, and smuggling. So they declare bankruptcy in 1984. But then the story gets weird. In 1985, a crazy homeless wonan busts in to their offices and shoots Mr. Deak, killing him. But afterwards it turns out that maybe this woman isn't what she appears to be. Maybe it was an assassination. No one really knows for sure. If you have some time, this article from 2012 is an interesting read.
But all that aside it's a really nice bar. Check out that patina!
And the stamp and the serial number distinguish it further. The MA is for Metal Arts Co. , who minted the bar, but I'm not sure of the year.
Sweet vintage bar, i've never saw one like that before.
You always find the most interesting bars! What a story. Intrigue, murder and metal.... all together. ☺️
Totally random, but I actually knew the name of this company despite not being into precious metals at all (there are some coins in the family, but they're in secure storage somewhere I don't care to disclose and are older than I am).
Interesting history behind it, since the only reason I knew of them was a tangential part of the US nuclear program, which I've been reading a book about.
Interesting. So how was this company tied to US nukes?
So when the whole cold fusion thing came out but before it was debunked their setup had been basically electrolysis with a palladium anode/cathode setup, and the scientist who was writing the book was involved in the Georgia Institute of Technology attempt to replicate the findings (which were confirmed at first due to an experimental error and faulty equipment) and their palladium came from Deak-Perera.
Wow, this company gets more and more interesting. Who knows what kind of back door dealings led to that.
From the sound of it, none. They just randomly got this company's stuff when they ordered from their supplier. On the other hand, who knows?
Yeah, that's exactly what "they" want you think. :)
Very nice vintage bar! Stack on, @methus!