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Auction: 312 - Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 3125

Gold Crater Mining (CO) 1896. Colorado Springs. #136.150 Shares. Brown. Twin volcanic peaks, town nestled below. A portion of the volcano vignette is repeated on the back. Signed by William S. Stratton as president .Elgan Bank Note. VF+. Winfield Scott Stratton (1848-1902) was Cripple Creek´s first millionaire. In 1891, after twenty years of prospecting, Stratton came to the gold camps of Colorado. On July 4th, 1891, he staked out the Independence Mine, named in honor of that day. Stratton systematically mined the property, taking out small quantities of ore, and leaving reserves in the ground. He was able to finance the development of the mine without having to sell stock publicly. The Independence was one of the few mines that managed to remain in the hands of a single owner. It was the "King of the District´´, and enabled Stratton to control nearly a fifth of Cripple Creek´s best properties.

Sold for
$625