Souvenir Mining Spoons/Souvenir Mining Spoon Independence Gold Mine

Souvenir Mining Spoons

Souvenir Mining Spoon Independence Gold Mine.JPG - SOUVENIR MINING SPOON INDEPENDENCE MINE - Sterling silver spoon embossedwith a detailed picture of the Independence Gold Mine Victor Colo; handle decorated with a miner’s donkey at top and floral pattern front and back, 3 1/2 in. long, weight 8 gms., marked on back Sterling (W. S. Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill were located near Victor, Colorado on the south slope of Battle Mountain. In the spring of 1891 Stratton persuaded Leslie Popejoy to grubstake him in the Cripple Creek District in return for half the profits. Stratton staked two claims on the south slope of Battle Mountain on July 4, 1891. He called the two claims the Independence and the Washington in honor of the holiday. Assays from the Independence lode showed a value of $380 per ton gold so Stratton quickly sold his house and two lots, one in Denver and one in Colorado Springs, so that he could buy out Popejoy's share. One boulder from the Independence Mine brought $60,000, which Stratton used to sink a chute. In doing so he tapped directly into a rich vein. The next year, in 1892, Stratton also hit gold in the Washington Mine. Stratton quickly became the Cripple Creek District's first millionaire. Between late 1893 and April 1899, approximately 200,000 ounces (5670 kg) of gold was removed from the Independence Mine. In 1900 Stratton sold the Independence Mine to the Venture Corporation of London for $10 million. The Venture Corporation incorporated the property as Stratton's Independence Ltd. and sold shares on the London stock exchange. The ore reserves were discovered to be less than previously thought in late 1900, and the share price crashed. Venture Corporation sued Stratton, claiming that the mine had been salted. Stratton died in 1902, but his estate defeated the lawsuit.)

Souvenir Mining Spoon Independence Gold Mine | SOUVENIR MINING SPOON INDEPENDENCE MINE - Sterling silver spoon embossed with a detailed picture of the Independence Gold Mine Victor Colo; handle decorated with a miner’s donkey at top and floral pattern front and back, 3 1/2 in. long, weight 8 gms., marked on back Sterling (W. S. Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill were located near Victor, Colorado on the south slope of Battle Mountain. In the spring of 1891 Stratton persuaded Leslie Popejoy to grubstake him in the Cripple Creek District in return for half the profits. Stratton staked two claims on the south slope of Battle Mountain on July 4, 1891. He called the two claims the Independence and the Washington in honor of the holiday. Assays from the Independence lode showed a value of $380 per ton gold so Stratton quickly sold his house and two lots, one in Denver and one in Colorado Springs, so that he could buy out Popejoy's share. One boulder from the Independence Mine brought $60,000, which Stratton used to sink a chute. In doing so he tapped directly into a rich vein. The next year, in 1892, Stratton also hit gold in the Washington Mine. Stratton quickly became the Cripple Creek District's first millionaire. Between late 1893 and April 1899, approximately 200,000 ounces (5670 kg) of gold was removed from the Independence Mine. In 1900 Stratton sold the Independence Mine to the Venture Corporation of London for $10 million. The Venture Corporation incorporated the property as Stratton's Independence Ltd. and sold shares on the London stock exchange. The ore reserves were discovered to be less than previously thought in late 1900, and the share price crashed. Venture Corporation sued Stratton, claiming that the mine had been salted. Stratton died in 1902, but his estate defeated the lawsuit.)

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