The spike's installation marked the completion of the Alaska Railroad in 1923. It's spent most of the time since then in the hands of private owners

A variety of private donors supplied money for the purchase, the museum and city of Nenana said in their statement.

The total cost of purchasing the 14-karat gold railroad spike at auction, to reclaim a piece of Alaska Railroad history, was $201,600.

Two Alaska institutions are making a bid to bring home a golden spike that was driven into the ground more than a century ago to mark the completion of the Alaska Railroad.

An Alaska museum and city, with help from donors including the Alaska Railroad, have won the auction for a 14-karat gold spike that was part of the railroad’s completion ceremony in 1923. The Anchorage Museum and city of Nenana will take turns displaying the spike,

The golden spike that was used to complete the Alaska Railroad over a century ago will be on permanent display in Alaska for the first time after entities combined to win an action for the 14-karat artifact Friday.

Shortly after, the golden spike was returned to Mears, and Harding began the long trip back to Washington. He suffered a fatal heart attack and died in San Francisco on Aug. 2, 1923.

A Golden Spike That Completed the Alaska Railroad Is up for Auction. Alaskans Want to Bring It Home ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — President Warren G. Harding drove a golden spike into the final ...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — President Warren G. Harding drove a golden spike into the final coupling of the Alaska Railroad more than a century ago, a ceremonial act that marked the launch of a ...

This image provided by Christie's Images shows a golden spike driven by President Warren G. Harding in Nenana, Alaska, just days before he died in office, which marked the completion of the Alaska ...

Harding drove a golden spike into the final coupling of the Alaska Railroad more than a century ago, a ceremonial act that marked the launch of a system to easily bring coal and other natural ...

The Anchorage Museum, along with the City of Nenana, bought a special railroad spike at a Christie’s auction for $200,000. The spike is made of 14-karat gold and is rich with history.