American Gold Miners in a Chinese Opium Den

[tinpan]

Hi All, This week-end my mate and I went searching for a forgotten Chinese Gold Mining Camp. Well trying to find the site was like painting a tennis court with a half inch bush. Well after wondering up and down hills and gully's we found the site. Few scattered ruins of Chinese miner huts and a 2 room temple known as a Joss House. We started the hunt at the far end near the last deep Chinese round gold mine shaft. On the edge of the camp we started getting targets. First was a copper square with Chinese print on it. Known as a "Opium Happy Tray" Opium is sticky when taken out of the opium tin and was often placed on a small square which was made from an empty opium tin base cut down. Second target was a Chinese Lock with the key still in it. Dates from the late 1850's
Third target i thought was a thimble but turned to be a cap off a small copper personal opium container.Pieces of Opium tin scattered . Nearly dug a whole one but was some what crushed and broken ,Yes disappointment. Handle off a miners buckle and few hand made Chinese clay bricks.When i got the only coin as time had run out for the day. Many hours trying find the site cost hunting time but there will be another trip.

The coin found at first i thought was the common half penny of Queen Victoria.But is not even thou, the coin is almost totally screwed there is still one and half stars left on it. Hmmm large cent i think. The opium den is located on the edge of the Chinese camp which means others could have come and gone under the cover of darkness without being seen

tinpan

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[tinpan]

more pics

 

[kuger]

Very awesome find that lock with the key!!I have found them seperate,but never together.They date earlier than the late 1850's though.Great digs Tinpan!

http://www.iacr.org/archive/asiacrypt2003/08_invited_talk/28940325.pdf

 

[tinpan]

morepics

 

[kuger]

Not sure if you have seen this site,but I use it often....if you scroll down,there is a neat data base that tells where the opium came from,by the characters on the lid.We find hundreds of these lids so its kind of fun,to track them down.Many arent on this data base though
Opium

 

[Silver Searcher]

Were's the Gold they must have left/lost some.....keeping stum Tinny

SS

 

[tinpan]

Were's the Gold they must have left/lost some.....keeping stum Tinny

SS

Hi SS you make me laugh Are you so sure i didn,t get gold Beats an english coal pit

tinpan

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Great Pix there Tinpan. You know where there are drugs, booze and gold mixed together there has to be some outstanding finds scattered around for your next trip.
Are those tailing mounds there in the last set of pix?
ZDD

 

[tinpan]

Great Pix there Tinpan. You know where there are drugs, booze and gold mixed together there has to be some outstanding finds scattered around for your next trip.
Are those tailing mounds there in the last set of pix?
ZDD

Yes Dave , Miles of them tinpan

 

[el remolino]

Those are some really great finds. Many identical artifacts as the ones I have been finding here in West Texas. I too have found locks and keys, but never together. I also have found numerous "Happy trays" but most of the ones I find out here have the edges folded are pinched up creating sides or a box look. What are the dimensions of the trays you typically find? Again awesome finds!!

Kinley

 

[kuger]

Those are some really great finds. Many identical artifacts as the ones I have been finding here in West Texas. I too have found locks and keys, but never together. I also have found numerous "Happy trays" but most of the ones I find out here have the edges folded are pinched up creating sides or a box look. What are the dimensions of the trays you typically find? Again awesome finds!!

Kinley

the fun trays normally do have the sides up turned....also there are what are called blow pans,for blowing the blacksands from the fine gold....but those are obviously found in gold bearing areas

 

[tinpan]

Those are some really great finds. Many identical artifacts as the ones I have been finding here in West Texas. I too have found locks and keys, but never together. I also have found numerous "Happy trays" but most of the ones I find out here have the edges folded are pinched up creating sides or a box look. What are the dimensions of the trays you typically find? Again awesome finds!!

Kinley

Hi Kinley inch 1/2 by inch 1/2 Some with folded sides ,some plain flat

tinpan

 

[el remolino]

Thanks Tinpan. That is right on for out here as well. I have some flat ones but more folded ones. Can't wait to see what you find next.

Kinley

 

[doc-d]

Thank you.......love the history lessons also......

 

[beau-bc]

That site looks good but tough.The lock and key is one nice find.Like finding those opium tins,Thanks kuger for the opium site,that'll keep me busy.Tinpan,like reading about your hunts.Like this thread

 

[kuger]

That site looks good but tough.The lock and key is one nice find.Like finding those opium tins,View attachment 804786Thanks kuger for the opium site,that'll keep me busy.Tinpan,like reading about your hunts.Like this thread

...I will pm ya couple other good ones....I dont know that Tinpan appreciates my input.....