Q.David Bowers
Among regular issues, the $10 and $20 of 1860 de-picted Pikes Peak, in the shape of a volcanic cone (not at all like the real appearance of the mountain), on the obverse. The $2.50 and $5 of 1860, and four denomina-tions of 1861, the $2.50, $5, $10, and $20, are all copies, except for the inscriptions, of contemporary United States Mint gold coins.
Several other coiners were active in the Jefferson Territory during the 1860-1861 period, Patterns are known today bearing inscriptions of the Denver City Assay Office, 1860, but little is known concerning the firm's operations.
In 1859 Dr. John Parsons, of Quincy, Illinois, came to the South Park area of Colorado. In the next year, 1860, he set up coining dies and presses at Tarryall.
$2.50 and $5 gold coins were issued bearing his imprint. The obverse of each depicted a stamping mill of the type used to reduce gold-bearing quartz. The- word ORO, Spanish for "gold," appears on each. The reverse shows a perched eagle, similar to the United States design, but with different inscriptions. Although the issues of Parsons are said to have enjoyed a wide circulation in Denver and surrounding areas, examples are exceedingly rare today.
In August 1861 the banking firm of J.J. Conway & Co., Georgia Gulch, Colorado, produced several varieties of $2.50, $5, and $10 pieces bearing their imprint. Apparently coinage was only for a short time. Little is known concerning the background or operations-of-the company. Examples of the coinage are exceedingly rare today.
The close relationship of the privately-minted gold coins of Colorado, California, and other areas with the people, economy, and romance of the times has made them favorites with numismatists today.