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LEGENDARY GOLD RUSHES OF THE WORLD

Legendary Gold Rushes of the World

Since at least the 4th or 5th millenniums B.C., humankind has regarded gold as an extraordinary metal – and above all others. Its exceptionally beautiful, sun-like color, remarkable malleability and resistance to corrosion led to an almost intuitive understanding of its unique value, whether directly as currency, or as marvelously cra�ed jewelry and sophisticated objects of art. In short, gold has fascinated and captivated mankind since the dawn of civilization – and has greatly contributed to the building of states, civilizations and cultures.

�us, it is not surprising that throughout time and around the world, discoveries of large gold deposits provoked frenzied reactions, not only within governing institutions seeking to �ll their treasuries, but also among those who simply sought to improve their lot in life. Descending in droves upon newly exposed veins of gold, men would sacri�ce everything – including their lives – in order to secure even small quantities of this one-of-a-kind precious metal. Whole towns sprang up around those deposits, and the term ‘gold rush’ refers to both the mental exhilaration of the men, and women, desperate to make their fortunes, and the ‘boom or bust’ existence of many of the settlements founded upon the discovery of gold.

�is distinctive collection of gold bullion bars celebrates the earth’s most precious metal by way of those ‘rushes’ that contributed directly to its desirability, value and legend.

Brazil 1693

�e �rst genuine gold rush took place at the end of the 17th century, in eastern Brazil (the region now known as Minas Gerais). It was an atypical rush in the sense that it began quite slowly, and lasted much longer than later rushes – infact, for about ��y years.

Siberia 1838-1839

Unsurprisingly, Russia has long enjoyed rich mineral and precious metals deposits thanks to the sheer expanse of its territory. From 1838 to1839, new gold placers along the Jenisej River triggered what would become the Siberian gold rush.

California 1848-1849

�e world’s most famous discovery of gold, the California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill, in Coloma, California. News of the discovery brought some 300,000 people rush-ing to California from the rest of the United States and abroad.

Alaska 1896

�e Alaskan Gold Rush – better known as the Klondike Gold Rush or Yukon Gold Rush, was a frenzy of gold rush immigration to and for gold prospecting along the Klondike River near Dawson City, Yukon, Canada a�er gold was discovered there in the late 19th century.

Australia 1851, 1892, 1893

Perhaps lesser known than others, the Australian gold rushes are nonetheless historically signi�cant when considering that the retrieval of nuggets as large as 66-kg were were not uncommon.

Black Hills, South Dakota 1876

�e Black Hills Gold Rush took place in Dakota Territory in the United States, commencing in 1874 and reaching a peak in 1876-77. Rumors and poorly documented reports of gold in the Black Hills go back to the early 1800s.

Specifications

Metal: Fine gold 999.9Weight: 5g x 6Dimension: 14 x 23.30mm Thickness: 0.83mmQuality: ProofEdge: Plain

1:1

Obverse

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