The Rare and Unusual History of Oregon Gold Beaver Coins
When gold was discovered in California in 1849, Oregonians trying to conduct business compelled the provisional government to create something they could use as currency. However, actions by the US government to buy all the gold beaver coins, making it one of most rare gold coins to come up on rare coin projections.
In early 1849, the US government was still wrangling over the territory with the British. As one might expect, the solution to supplying the people of the Oregon Territory, technically administered by two powers, was to do nothing. Therefore the citizens of Oregon decided to act.
With a rag-tag group of investors gathered on the banks of the Willamette River, the provisional territorial government decided to comission a private company to issue coin.
In fact, when brought to federal court after several years of manufacture by the Oregon Exchange Company
A private company minted the first gold coins produced in the Oregon Territory, by hand, from Oregon City. Better known as the end of the Oregon Trail, newcomers to the area needed something to invest all the vast mineral wealth from the territory in and trade with points “back east” were not established yet.
Instead of a design such as the US Mint had been producing for nearly 50 years, gone was an obverse with Lady Liberty; rare coins of the beaver series actually
About 2,850 of the $10 coins were hand-struck in Oregon City.
Arthur McGuire
March 17, 2009
