1863 Comstock Gold and Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate - Never Cancelled
DESCRIPTION
This is an original stock certificate issued by the Comstock Gold and Silver Mining Co., dated July 9, 1863, and representing 2,000 shares valued at $440,000. Issued while Nevada was still a U.S. territory, the certificate was engraved on security paper with ornate borders and formal typography typical of Civil War–era financial documents.
The certificate features a detailed central vignette depicting miners at work underground, underscoring the company’s role in precious metal extraction within the Nevada Territory. Decorative scrollwork borders frame the text, while handwritten entries, signatures, and a revenue stamp reflect period use. The verso contains faint but legible transfer language printed in reverse, with folds, wear, and ink offset from active handling.
Historical Context
Issued during the Civil War and prior to Nevada achieving statehood in 1864, this certificate reflects the crucial role Western mining played in supplying gold and silver to support the Union economy. Companies operating in the Nevada Territory attracted significant outside investment, linking frontier mining districts directly to national finance. Today, certificates such as this survive as tangible records of wartime capitalism, western expansion, and early American capital markets.
CONDITION
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