GHM's Discovery of Crude Attempt at Counterfeiting

Legacy Inventory Project Reveals Unusual Artifact from North Table Mountain

The Legacy Inventory Project at the Golden History Museum (GHM) led us to uncover an unusual part of Golden’s history. Golden may have been known for the early days of the Gold Rush, its residents also had a legacy of creating molds for a “fool’s” gold rush.

While working in the GHM’s offsite artifact storage area, curators found an object tucked away in a nondescript box, carefully covered in tissue paper. Curious, I unwrapped it to find a wooden item, battered and worn, and obviously handmade.

A search in the museum’s database uncovered surprisingly specific records. A counterfeiting machine, the old notes said, was donated in 1954.

A little research uncovered the name behind the story – “N.E. Smith”- and some of the history behind this unusual artifact. The Colorado Transcript ran an article on June 24, 1909 titled “Crude Attempt at Counterfeiting.”

“An extremely crude mold for counterfeiting half dollar pieces was found last week at the Doane stone quarries by N. E. Smith, superintendent of the quarries. It was brought to the Woods-Rubey bank, and may be turned over to the U. S. authorities for investigation. The contrivance is crude in the extreme, and could hardly have been expected to cast a coin that would deceive anyone. It is constructed of two small flat pieces of wood, hinged together. The boards have been hollowed out and filled with clay, in the center of which is the impression of a half dollar. When the boards are locked together a small aperture is left at the top in which to pour the metal. The mold had been used, as shown by scorched places at the opening. The mold was found under a pile of rocks at the quarry, and it may be that experiments were being carried on there, but the workmen engaged in reopening the quarry frightened away the would-be counterfeiters.”

Foiled in their attempts to create easy money, this handmade contraption speaks to the motivation and ingenuity, if not the upright character, of the people behind this story.

To discover more unique treasures in the museum, peruse the collection online at: https://goldenhistory.pastperfect online.com/.

Top Left: Detail of counterfeit coin mold found on North Table Mountain in 1909. Top Right: Full mold.

The Woods-Rubey Bank where the counterfeit mold was taken for evaluation. The bank was located on the corner of Washington Avenue and 12th Street in Golden. Golden History Museum & Park, City of Golden Collection.

Golden History Museum & Park • 923 10th St. • 303-278-3557 Check GoldenHistory.org for hours of operation, calendar of programs, and special event details.