Today, the California Fractional Gold Coin remembers the news of 165 years ago when men found gold high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
From the Sacramento Daily Union of July 8, 1851:
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Highly Interesting Mining Intelligence —
Rich Discoveries of Gold on the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Major Henry P. Sweetser called upon us yesterday with news of the discovery of gold upon one of the highest summits of the Nevada range.
The Major informs us that the party with whom he has been connected, have been mining during the Spring at a point 25 miles above Onion Valley, near the base of the mountains; that about three weeks since two or three of the company were out “prospecting,” and after a little time found upon a ledge near the summit of Washington mountain, detached pieces of quartz impregnated with gold.
The ledge is no less than 9000 feet above the valley, and within 200 yards of the top of the mountain.
The news having been made known, numbers flocked in from the vicinity and encamped at the base of the mountain.
The settlement has been named “The City of ’76,” from the number of the company who have taken possession of the claims on the ledge.
The location of this mine is not far from the Truckee River trail, and will be within 25 miles of Grass Valley, by the new road which is now being opened.
The company which has just been formed, have not as yet any machines at work, but the specimens of rock which have been tested, have been found on an average to yield 14 cents to the pound.
Thirty or forty tons have already been thrown out by blasting, and a portion of the company are now engaged in constructing a wooden trough to the flat below for the purpose of conveying the ore from the mine.
The mountain is very precipitous, and it is impossible to carry up provisions or supplies to the diggings.
There is a stream running through the flat called Jamieson’s Creek, and that part of the company who are not otherwise employed, are cutting a race from this stream around to the base of the mountain.
The Major informs us that no explorations have yet been made more than five feet below the surface of the ground, but the rock proves richer the deeper the mine is worked.
No shares are offered for sale, as the company have ample capital wherewith to purchase all necessary machinery for carrying on their operations.
Above the mine on the summit of the mountain the snow is still five feet deep, but the nights are cool and pleasant, and the days by no means intensely hot.
Grizzly bear and deer are found in abundance on the mountain, as also a great variety of smaller game.
There are many Indians in the vicinity, but they are not troublesome.
The specimens of quartz shown us are very black in appearance, and have evidently been subjected to severe volcanic action.
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The California Fractional Gold Coin shows with an artist’s image of gold mining in California, circa 1850.
