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Mining is the Backbone of America 3. Mining “Rushes.” What constitutes a rush, and why did they take
place? Where were they? When? How was the American economy and
he history of America is in many ways traced through mining. industry impacted?
When the California Gold Rush began in 1848, it created a
Tmassive movement of people from all over the world, and added 4. Mine Finance. Mines and prospecting were financed privately and
$50 million in new money into the world’s economy for the first publicly, both locally, domestically in the U.S., and through world or
decade, effectively doubling the American economy foreign investment. Let’s face it, when the
yearly through about 1860. This level of new California Gold Rush was on, everybody wanted
wealth was never seen before and has never been in—investors, bankers, merchants—from all over
seen since. It continued at an unabated pace, with the world.

the discoveries of gold and silver in just a single 5. Mine Specimens. Gold, silver, copper, and
mining district – the great Comstock Lode. With special minerals found only in specific ore
more and more prospectors flooding into the deposits. Some are strikingly beautiful, others
Western United States looking for their “El “plain Jane.”
Dorado,” more ore deposits were found and
exploited. New inventions spurred the exploration 6. Metal Products. Ingots, coins, wire. The
for, and development of, other important metals development of alloys.

and products, especially copper. Crystallized Gold from Round Mountain 7. Mining Equipment. The equipment used to
It didn’t stop with the California Gold Rush. Mine, Nye Co NV break, move, crush rock, and get it out of the mine.
Prospectors began searching remote regions all

over the world – Australia, Western Europe, Africa, Asia; they left no 8. Mine Lighting. How did we see underground?
place unsearched. Prospectors first searched the great ancient and 9. Ore Handling. The milling processes and the equipment used for
historic sources of gold and silver looking for more. Most of those were rendering rock to a metal product.

futile attempts, but along the way, great ore deposits were found 10. Assaying. How did we know there was value in the ore? What tools
around the world, adding even more new money to a world economy were used to determine value?
that was growing as fast or faster than the population.
The new money created new businesses and spurred creativity and 11. The Bullion Business. When, where, and how did we start
inventiveness. This thing we call “technology” developed, and we began refining? How did the refining business develop? How was it traded?
to look at the science behind these great ore deposits in order to How was it converted to cash?

help us locate more. New technology meant more inventions. More 12. Mining and Miner Customs.
inventions lead to better means of discovery, materials processing,
working conditions, and more. 13. Mining Labor. Clothing, tools, equipment, Unions, etc.

Now we can walk into modern times and look back at this 14. Mining News. How was news of discovery transmitted?

advancement in technology both in how scientific thinking changed 15. Mining Communities. The birth of mining camps.
and the creation of numerous inventions. We can collect the history of
these scientific and technological advancements to better understand
how all of the processes in mining developed over time. The World’s First Mines
The study of the world’s first mines is
Categorically Speaking incredibly interesting. Studying the sources
of gold for the jewelry of the Pharaohs of
Let’s take a look at 15 major categories
within the mining theme. After we identify Egypt, the Minoans of the Mediterranean
region, the Irish ancients who made gold
these major categories, then we’ll look collars, or the sources of jade worldwide
inside them as groups of collectibles.
can take on a life of its own. I know –
1. The World’s First Mines. Where were this is one of my passions in life. Why
they? Who, What, When, Where and and when did mankind around the globe
How did mankind develop the desire or begin the desire for metal or rock, and how
need for metal or other product mining? and why did we develop that knowledge

2. Written Mining History. The through time? The list of collectibles
collection of historical works on mining, here is mainly in museums—where
from the beginning – vis-a-vis pre-Pliny Owens River Mill & Mining Company Stock Certificate they belong—and form an incredible
to the present. study unit.

32 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles