Ex Billy Williams Collection Cripple Creek Mining District .999 Fine Silver Round Portland Mine Victor Colorado

An exceptional one troy ounce .999 fine silver commemorative round honoring the legendary Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado and the historic Portland Mine near Victor — one of the most productive gold mines in Colorado history. This beautifully struck mining-themed silver round originates from the respected ex Billy Williams collection, adding additional collector provenance and appeal for enthusiasts of Western mining history and mining exonumia.

The obverse depicts the famous Portland Mine operation with the inscription:

"The Portland Mine – Victor"
"Colorado's Most Productive Gold Mine"
"The Cripple Creek Mining District"
1902

The reverse features a relief map of Colorado's historic mining regions alongside:

"One Troy Ounce .999 Fine Silver"
"The Colorado Mining Series"

Included with the piece is the original informational card which reads:

THE SILVERTON MINING DISTRICT
Aerial Transportation and the Sunnyside Mine Tram

"Tramways, bucket-carrying cables supported by towers, provided transportation from the mine to the mill for ore, materials, and men. Powered by gravity, buckets filled with ore coming down from the mine pulled the empty ones back up. There were several advantages to aerial transportation: it could operate year-round, could be constructed almost anywhere, and theoretically was cheaper to maintain. In addition, the tramways were versatile - they carried the ore out and brought men and supplies in. Engineer T.A. Rickard wrote, 'The aerial voyage was made speedily and safely, if not very comfortably.' Although uncommon in modern mining, the miner's aerial tram was an important contribution to the mining industry."

— Duane A. Smith, Song of the Hammer and Drill

The Portland Mine became one of the crown jewels of the Cripple Creek Gold Rush, helping transform the district into one of the richest gold-producing regions in American history. Mining-themed silver rounds from the Colorado Mining Series have become increasingly collectible due to their combination of bullion silver content, historical mining artwork, and regional Western Americana appeal.

This example represents an outstanding addition for:

• Cripple Creek mining collections
• Colorado mining history collections
• Silver bullion and exonumia collectors
• Western Americana collections
• Gold Rush memorabilia collections
• Museum and educational displays

Specifications:

• Composition: .999 Fine Silver
• Weight: One Troy Ounce
• Series: Colorado Mining Series
• Theme: Portland Mine / Cripple Creek Mining District
• Provenance: Ex Billy Williams Collection

Condition:
Please review all photos carefully for overall condition, toning, handling marks, capsule condition, and accompanying paperwork, as they are considered part of the description.