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East Bannack Gold and Silver Stock Certificate *Territorial*

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:NA
East Bannack Gold and Silver Stock Certificate *Territorial*
Cert. No 103 issued to George W. Abbe for 800 shares. Abbe also signed as president of the East Bannack GSMC. Therefore this cert. Issued to the president. Gold was found in the East Bannack as early as 1856 by an unknown mountaineer who brought a bag of dust to Major Culbertson at Fort Shaw. Reluctant to take it as the real thing, Culbertson was encouraged by a man only known as "Ray" to exchange goods to the mountaineer for his bag of dust. The mountaineer insisted its value to be $1000 in trade. Culbertson exchanged the bag for a supply of horses, arms, ammunition, blankets, tobacco and other goods to the value requested. In 1857, Culbertson sent the bag to the mint to discover that its value was $1525 [Sanders, 169-7]. The mountaineer, who said he travelled and prospected alone, was never seen by Culbertson again. The transaction subsequently led to a vast mining interest in the area from 1857 forward. East Bannack GSMC owned a steam-quartz mill at Shober Ledge in 1866 which was managed by David Worden [Bancroft, 1890, 723]. It was incorporated in New York only two years prior (Oct. 29, 1864). Several other names listed on the copy of the filed incorporation included are listed in the New York directory as having been merchants: Jeremiah Milbank, John H Browning. Others listed appeared to be associated with an office based at 76 Nassau New York, NY. The only other name on the certificate than Abbe is Joseph B F Grady Sect. Vignette of miner with wheel barrow with goddess at left motioning toward him. Orange 25 cent cancelled stamp at left on front and another at top on reverse. Incorporation seal blind stamped at lower left. Fine. 10.25" x 6.25". Includes rough photocopy of the incorporation record issued in New York.

Date: City: East BannackCounty: State: MT