Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Choice Uncirculated — Type I (Brass)
Upgraded from NGC MS-62 to NGC MS-63 in 2023.
*Overall exceptional eye-appeal with lustrous golden surfaces radiating inward toward a darker center where light wear can be detected. Minimal contact marks and abrasions on the upper devices prevent this piece from reaching choice uncirculated - A beautiful mint-state specimen which is uncommon due to its age and rarity. — Upgraded; Previous example in collection was an NGC MS-62 (2714936-007). Newer/current issue is NGC-MS-63.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
$5.00 souvenir/fantasy token struck to commemorate the “Empire City Mine” gold issues of the same design. These are attributed to Empire, Colorado circa 1876.
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Of the four denominations issued, all are extraordinarily rare. The $1.00 variety is the sole denomination to only have been struck in copper. The remaining three ($2.5, $5 & $10) were struck in both brass and copper. To emphasize the rarity of the series, of the seven varieties issued, the highest number known for any type is just ~6. — This collection contains the only known $1 copper variety, along with the brass variety of the $2.5, $5, and $10 issues and the $5 copper issue. Although all are rare, the copper issues appear exceedingly rare. Copper specimens of the $2.5 and $10 denominations are still being sought out.
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Details for the Complete Empire City Mine Fantasy Series are listed below:
- Pritchard EM130-100/CMT UNL ($1 Copper) - Examples Known: 3 (NGC MS-66 RD) *Extremely Rare*
- Pritchard EM130-250a/CMT E3980a ($2.5 Brass) Type I - Examples Known: 3 (NGC MS-62) *Rare*
- Pritchard EM130-250b/CMT E3980b ($2.5 Copper) Type II - Examples Known: 2 (N/A) *Extremely Rare*
- Pritchard EM130-500a/CMT E3980c ($5 Brass) Type I - Examples Known: 6 (NGC MS-62) *Rare*
- Pritchard EM130-500b/CMT E3980d ($5 Copper) Type II - Examples Known: 2 (NGC MS-63 RB) *Extremely Rare*
- Pritchard EM130-1000a/CMT E3981a ($10 Brass) Type I - Examples Known: 4 (NGC AU-55) *Rare*
- Pritchard EM130-1000b/CMT E3981b ($10 Copper) Type II - Examples Known: 2 (N/A) *Extremely Rare*
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard EM130-500a
CMT E3980c
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~6 examples are known
NGC Census not available.
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Brass, 29mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Empire City Mine / 1876 / Empire, Colo.
REVERSE: Colorado Gold / 5 / Dollars
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Empire, Colorado):
"Being a producer of only low grade gold ore, many miners left Empire for the silver in Georgetown. Indian agents then used Empire as a station to distribute goods for the Mountain Utes." — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard