Colorado gold catalogs Clark, Gruber & Co., Denver City, and related private coins, patterns, and die trials made during rapid western settlement.

Five type groups and 35 rows cover 1860–1861, including legal-value gold pieces and non-gold trial strikes.

Core specifications

Issue period
1860–1861
Catalog mints
Not stated
Reported catalog mintage
Not reported
Composition
Not stated
Diameter
Not stated
Weight
Not stated

Assay and banking meet a new gold district

The Pike's Peak rush created immediate demand for trusted local assaying and money.

Clark, Gruber's reputation and later federal acquisition connect private enterprise to the Denver Mint's longer story.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty portraits, mountain views, firm names, dates, and denominations identify maker and type.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

Eagles, value statements, and PIKE'S PEAK or DENVER legends distinguish major families.

Representative issues that explain the series

Confirm whether a row is a gold coin, pattern, copper trial, or restrike before comparing it with circulation pieces.

Issue catalog

1860 $2.50 Clark, Gruber & Co.1860 $5 Clark, Gruber & Co.1860 $10 Clark, Gruber & Co.1860 $20 Clark, Gruber & Co.1861 $2.50 Clark, Gruber & Co.1861 $5 Clark, Gruber & Co.1861 $10 Clark, Gruber & Co.1861 $20 Clark, Gruber & Co.1860 $20 Clark, Gruber & Co.1860 $2.50 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1860 $5 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1860 AE $10 Clark, Gruber & Co.1860 AE $20 Clark, Gruber & Co.1860 $20 Clark Gruber, Silver Die Trial1860 DT$20 K-4b Clark Gruber1860 $10 Clark Gruber, Brass Die Trial1861 DT$2.50 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1861 $5 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1861 $10 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1861 DT$10 Clark Gruber, White Metal Die Trial1861 Fantasy Fantasy - Clark Gruber $201860 DT$10 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1860 $10 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1861 $2.50 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1861 $5 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial1861 $10 Clark Gruber, Copper Die Trial(1861) $2.50 Parsons(1861) $5 Parsons(1861) DT$2.50 K-1b Parsons, Brass Die Trial(1861) $2.50 Parsons, Silver Die Trial(1861) $2.50 Conway(1862) $5 Conway(1861) $5 Conway, Ornate 5(1861) $10 Conway1860 DT$5 Denver City, Copper Die Trial

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 35 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Clark, Gruber & Co. Ten Dollars, 1860 — Smithsonian National Museum of American History
  2. Three Gold Rarities That Escaped the Melting Pot — Smithsonian National Museum of American History
  3. Colorado Gold category reference — PCGS CoinFacts