Portland, Oregon is well known to the rest of the country for its progressive, forward-thinking style. The city is rich in culture, abundant with examples of its pioneer history through old world architecture and the use of natural resources. Prior to the 1840’s, Portland was nothing more than a small portion of land along… Read more »
Tagged: Mining
How Silver Dollars Won the West
There was a time in the Western U.S. when silver dollars were everywhere. And it still seems like anyone with even a modest coin collection has a couple of Morgan silver dollars. But why are silver dollars so abundant? It comes down to the perfect combination of fear, skullduggery and mountains of silver. In 1859, Patrick… Read more »
Great American Mines, Part Five: Oregon Gold Country
While Oregon’s history is full of many legends, gold mines don’t figure into many of them. But many of these stories are truly fascinating. Especially when you hear the incredible—possibly tall—tales of the lucky Oregon settlers who struck gold. In 1851, the California Gold Rush was going strong. In order to stock the miners with… Read more »
Great American Mines: Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine
For centuries, legends have inspired men to search for gold in the Southwest region of the United States. Shovels in hand, treasure hunters have chased legends of a place called the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. Possible locations range from Mexico to just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. According to most legends, the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine… Read more »
Two Prospectors Walk Away From a Silver Fortune
This story is part one of Liberty Coin & Currency’s series “Great American Mines.” On the outskirts of what is now affluent Aspen, Colorado, stands what was once one of the most prosperous silver mines in U.S. history: Smuggler’s Mine. Its history is filled with intrigue and tall tales — everything from dubious land claims… Read more »
The Biggest Gold Nugget Ever Found
If you visit the Australian town of Dunolly today, you’ll probably run into more than a few modern-day prospectors hoping to strike it rich with their metal detectors. There’s a good reason gold seekers still descend upon the town. Just ten miles away lies the site of the discovery of the largest solid gold nugget… Read more »