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Oxford Beta Tunnel &MC stock, 1863, Aurora [173453]

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Stock & Bond - Mining Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Oxford Beta Tunnel &MC stock, 1863, Aurora    [173453]

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Oxford Beta Tunnel & Mining Company stock certificate, Aurora, 1863. Location: Silver Hill, Esmeralda District, Mono Co., Cal. (printed to the left of the tile). Inc. July 1863. Certificate No. 97, issued for 15 shares to George C. Perkins on September 17, 1863 in San Francisco. Signed by C.C. Knowles as president and George H. Peck as secretary. Not cancelled. Black border and print, red underprint. Small California state seal vignette (center), dog next to safe (bottom center), and bushel of hay (bottom right). No printer listed. Adhesive revenue stamp on left. Folds, minor wear. 5.5x10".

Gold was discovered in the area in August of 1860 and the Nevada Territory wasn't organized until March of 1861. Although the certificate says Esmeralda District, Mono Co., it was actually Nevada. California claimed this rich gold and silver ore area when their neighbor (Nevada) had no official government. In the fall of 1863, surveyors finally fixed the boundary, and Mono County officials moved to Bodie and Aurora was in Nevada. The Oxford appeared in the local newspapers from 1863 until 1867. They never let in a visitor or let out ore samples. In 1867 they sent some ore samples to Virginia City - they didn't have the value they hoped for! (from Gold Hill News).

Notably, C.C. Knowles was a leading dentist in San Fransisco.

Franklin Collection. Esmeralda District, Aurora California Franklin Collection