Owner Comments:
MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
TOP POP: Choice Uncirculated+/Ultra High-Relief
(Slabbed in Double-Thick Holder)
*From a grading perspective, this example is under-graded, much like the bronze example in this collection. There are no dings, contact marks, or abrasions of any kind on either the obverse or the reverse. However, there are several blemishes on both the obverse/reverse; neither significant enough to bring the piece down to MS-64. Based on my understanding of grading, I’m somewhat confused as to why both varieties appear heavily under-graded. Maybe due to their high-relief? I would submit for re-grading but uncertain if it’s worth it. — Despite this, the issue appears to be of museum quality and is absolutely stunning. A deep golden lustrous color enrich the fields, where an even deeper, darker gold create a sparkling shine on the devices. — Matches both its “extremely” rare silver and bronze counterparts of the same design. The bronze variety is included in this collection. I have only seen one silver example which I was able to obtain and received back from NGC in March of 2023 (MS-69), completing the full set of bronze, silver, and gilt.*
MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Struck circa 1971 to commemorate the centennial of Cripple Creek, Colorado. The obverse also recognizes Bob Womack. Bob Womack discovered gold ore in Cripple Creek after years of prospecting filing an official claim in 1890 that marked the beginning of the last gold rush in Colorado.
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Original COA States the Following:
“Commemorating Cripple Creek’s 100th birthday and honoring Bob Womack, the cowboy who discovered gold.”
gold.”
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Varieties Included in this Collection:
- Bronze: NGC MS-65
- Gilt: NGC MS-64
- Silver: NGC MS-69 #229
DESIGNER: Paul Keith
RARITY: Unknown; Likely scarce (I have only seen a few other examples offered)
(*TOP POP* NGC Pop = 1; NONE Finer): [05/2022]
**Only example graded by NGC**
MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Medallic Art Company, N.Y., Gilt, 42mm, Round, Plain/Lettered Edge)
OBVERSE: (Depiction of Bob Womack Bust / Bob Womack / Paul Keith
REVERSE: Gold Strike - Cripple Creek, Colo. / 1891 / (Depiction of Gold Panner Holding Gold Next to Saddled Horse with Cottage in Background)
EDGE: Medallic Art Co. NY
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(Cripple Creek, Colorado):
“The historic City of Cripple Creek is the Statutory City that is the county seat of Teller County, Colorado, United States.The city population was 1,155 at the 2020 United States Census. Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. The Cripple Creek Historic District, which received National Historic Landmark status in 1961, includes part or all of the city and the surrounding area. The city is now a part of the Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.” — Credited Source: "Active Colorado Municipalities". Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
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(Bob Womack):
“One of Cripple Creek’s casinos carries the name of the man who got it all going. In the days long after the rush, one name more or less became less well known, and that was Bob Womack. He died a poor man, in the home of his sister, between Colorado Springs and Colorado City.
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He was employed herding cattle for partners Horace Bennett and Julius Myers, Denver real estate men who held the Broken Box Ranch property after an 1880s gold hoax. The ranch had been owned by Bob’s father, William Womack, who sold it to the Pikes Peak Cattle Company. It was then was sold to Bennett and Myers.
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As Bob Womack roamed the hills rounding up strays, he also panned the steams in the area, sure there was gold there. He had done some prospecting in the hills around Leadville and had a fair knowledge of the art of prospecting. He found some “color” in the area we know as Poverty Gulch, which he promptly spent in saloons in Colorado City.
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When questioned about this dust, Womack was wise enough to let things go without a good, accurate answer. Eventually, as you might expect, others got interested, but the hoax was still fresh in memory. Womack worked most of the “float” out of the stream and continued to look for more. He made a claim called the Grand View, and later another claim called the Chance, which became the El Paso.
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E. M. De La Vergne and F. F. Frisbee paid a winter visit to the area. They found shelter at a ranch east of the Broken Box, the George Carr Ranch. The hands at the ranch knew Womack and his tails, and laughed at the idea that there might be real gold on the Broken Box. They felt he had found some of the “salted” gold from the hoax. These two looked around and made a claim near the El Paso, called the El Dorado.
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Womack’s first success was selling his claim for $5,000. De La Vergne and Frisbee did even better, they discovered the true identity of the Cripple Creek ore. For a while they kept their discovery quiet, but other geologists found the truth, too. Old Bob had been right, but not quite. It took the work of many others to tap the true Cripple Creek District’s wealth, which is still ongoing.“ — Credited Source: Pikes Peak Courier: “Bob Womack's Gold Claim to Fame | Mel McFarland Aug 25, 2020; Updated Sep 30, 2021