2x Stock Certificates from the early Gilpin/ Clear creek discoveries in Colorado. Philadelphia investors for Colorado mines. 1. The Baker Silver Mining Company of Colorado, incorporated in Colorado. Certificate No. 1157 issued to Mrs. Catharine Oberly for 7 shares at $100 each on Nov 14, 1867 in Philadelphia. Signed by J. W. Pollock(?) as president and John Mesh(?) as secretary. Printed by Jas.B. Rodgers, Pr. Philadelphia. Twenty-five cent revenue stamp attached on right. This is a very interesting piece, only 4 known to F.H. and one of the "Greatest Ever Mining Stocks", F.H. From Corbett (1879 p.132): "Owned by the Baker Silver Mining Co.: office, Georgetown; claim, 1500 by 3000 feet, patented located 1860; situated on Kelso mountain, East Argentine mining district, thirteen miles from Georgetown; course of vein, east and west, average width 15 feet, pitch 45[degrees] north, nature of ore, sulphurets and galena, average value, $200 per ton; main shaft, 480 feet deep. 2. The American Exploring Company of Philadelphia, incorporated by special charter. Certificate No. 189 issued to S. Franklin Sharpless(?) for 25 shares on July 6, 1880 in Philadelphia. Signed by W. H. Stevens as president and James L Glagling(?) as treasurer. Blue letter printing by J.F. Finkeldey, Philadelphia. Measures 10" x 6 3/4".Signed by S.Franklin Sharpless on reverse. A Vignette of a mining tunnel and a bucket hoist to the left, and a vignette of an eagle in the center top. From WesternMiningHistory.com: Gilpin is the second smallest county in Colorado, but has the second highest gold production. Several months after the big discovery on Clear Creek, gold was discovered by John Gregory near Blackhawk in 1859. A few months later, the placers and veins in Russell Gulch initiated a major rush into this mountainous area. The first discoveries in the area occurred in Gamble Gulch in 1859 (Koschmann and Bergendahl, 1968). Herzog Collection. Gilpin/Clear Creek Colorado