Ben Franklin Silver Mining Co. - 1880 dated Colorado Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Wm. M. Christy's Sons, Phila. with Ben Franklin portrait and mining scene vignettes. Unusual and rare! Some fold wear.

Maybe connected to the Franklin Silver Mining Company. 

The Franklin Silver Mining Company of Colorado, established in Philadelphia in the late 19th century, capitalized on the “Silver Boom” in the Central City region, famously known as the “Richest Square Mile on Earth.” Led by Brigadier General Franklin B. Fisher, a former U.S. Chief Signal Officer, the company aimed to attract investors through a comprehensive prospectus that showcased the immense potential of several lodes, including the Franklin, Mountain Lion, Waterloo, Covington, and Pine Tree. The company’s operations were primarily centered near Idaho Springs in Clear Creek County, where the Franklin Mine emerged as a significant producer of silver, gold, lead, and zinc.

By 1890, the Franklin Mine had gained recognition as one of the deepest and most productive in the Aspen area. It consistently yielded high-grade ore so pure that it resembled silver bullion bars. Historical records reveal that the mine produced output valued at over $1 million before 1900. However, the mine faced persistent challenges from flooding, which occasionally necessitated temporary closures. Despite the company’s prominence waning alongside the 1893 silver crash, the Franklin Mine site remained notable throughout the 20th century. Modern environmental efforts by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety have focused on securing abandoned shafts and waste rock piles to safeguard local watersheds.