{"product_id":"ex-billy-williams-collection-cripple-creek-mining-district-999-fine-silver-round-portland-mine-victor-colorado","title":"Ex Billy Williams Collection Cripple Creek Mining District .999 Fine Silver Round Portland Mine Victor Colorado","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe obverse depicts the famous Portland Mine operation with the inscription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The Portland Mine – Victor\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Colorado's Most Productive Gold Mine\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The Cripple Creek Mining District\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1902\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe reverse features a relief map of Colorado's historic mining regions alongside:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"One Troy Ounce .999 Fine Silver\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The Colorado Mining Series\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIncluded with the piece is the original informational card which reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE SILVERTON MINING DISTRICT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAerial Transportation and the Sunnyside Mine Tram\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Duane A. Smith, \u003cem\u003eSong of the Hammer and Drill\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis example represents an outstanding addition for:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCripple Creek mining collections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColorado mining history collections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilver bullion and exonumia collectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWestern Americana collections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGold Rush memorabilia collections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMuseum and educational displays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComposition: .999 Fine Silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: One Troy Ounce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeries: Colorado Mining Series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheme: Portland Mine \/ Cripple Creek Mining District\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvenance: Ex Billy Williams Collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease review all photos carefully for overall condition, toning, handling marks, capsule condition, and accompanying paperwork, as they are considered part of the description.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prospector's Vault","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42405667405906,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/8805\/6146\/files\/IMG_3465.jpg?v=1778978414","url":"https:\/\/prospectorsvault.com\/products\/ex-billy-williams-collection-cripple-creek-mining-district-999-fine-silver-round-portland-mine-victor-colorado","provider":"Prospector's Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}