Record #:

20951

Author(s):

Tacker, Chris

Abstract:

In 1799, the first documented gold strike in the country occurred at John Reed's farm in Cabarrus County, 20 miles east of Charlotte. The gold was the first native gold to be used by the U.S. Mint in Charlotte, and about $5 million in coins were struck there. In 1828, a second gold strike was made in Burke County. Gold mining became the leading industry of the state after farming. For the next fifty years, until the California Gold Rush of 1849, North Carolina led the nation in gold mining.

Source:

North Carolina Naturalist (NoCar QH 76.5 N8 N68), Vol. 12 Issue 2, Sum 2004, p7-10, il, por, map

Subject(s):

Mints--Charlotte