FACT! #14

Many people don't know, but there was a time that coins were minted in Oregon. The Provisional Government of Oregon authorized a mint to begin producing coins for the Oregon Territory. The US Government strictly forbids territories from minting their own coins, but at the time, it was unclear exactly whether the Oregon Territory was under United States or Great Britain's rule.

For one year, 1849, these coins were minted. But when Oregon was brought into the US, minting of these coins was deemed unconstitutional by Governor Joseph Lane (b. 1801 - d. 1881; the first and fourth governor of Oregon.) By this time, the Gold Rush had warranted a mint to be built in San Francisco and the Federal Government went about purchasing all these coins that they could, exchanging them with US money.

Today, these "Beaver" coins are very rare and even in low grades command in excess of $15,000 and higher.