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XXX-RARE 1900 VIRGINIA MINING CO. CARDBOARD CURRENCY in GEM CU! DISCOVERY NOTE!

$ 7.91

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated
  • Condition: GEM CRISP CU and it's CARDBOARD (Thicker than an old railroad ticket & rigid)
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

    Description

    MINING MONEY from MINERAL CITY VA
    The Gold Rush didn't just happen Out West. It happened in Virginia, too, in the area of Mineral City which sat atop a rich vein of metals and minerals. That naturally attracted prospectors, speculators and mining companies which turn needed labor - the fruits of which often vanished when a worker was compelled to transact with "the Company Store" - in almost every aspect of his life.
    The companies issued currency to workers spendable
    only
    at
    their
    company stores, thus recycling its pay to miners back to themselves. They ensnared them in other ways like letting them buy on credit (at a price) or take out an advance (at a price) casting them into further debt.  So that currency represented a pretty ruthless form of capitalism by virtue of the fact that it helped push many a hard working soul into permanent debt and servitude.
    Here is an actual piece such historic currency related to Virginia Mining - a perfectly preserved Company Store bill issued by and spendabl
    e
    in merchandise only
    at
    the "Company Stores" of the
    Boyd Smith Pyrites Mines
    in Mineral City. It is completely unused and dated 190-! Thus 120 year old and likely a "discovery" note!!
    Authenticity guaranteed, as we found the original booklet housing 8 intact specimens and several broken or chipped ones. We'll send some of the fragments along as a souvenir.
    A fortuitous find for the collector of Southern Currency, Virginia History, Mining Lore, Cardboard Notes, Political/Economic Memorabilia or Americana in general.
    Shipping includes delivery confirmation and insurance, so buy confidently.