Nevada - Virginia City
A trip to Reno is never complete without going to Virginia City. So on Sunday morning, after totally exhausting my ATM, I forced everyone to get into Brady's car and make the 31 twisting 15mph drive to the silver mining tourist haven. A couple tips: Do take the tour of the mine, but make sure you get in at the front and Don't forget to get a goofy newspaper with your name printed on it.
"Virginia City - Nevada" It shows a miner lounging on the ground holding the reins of his horse. This one and the next two all came from the same machine and are about as detailed as they come. I think the penny I used was too dark.
This one says "Virginia City - Nevada" and shows a very detailed stagecoach, this is a great penny. The place these came from is on the west (uphill) side of the street.
"Tommyknocker - Virginia City" Depicts a pipe smoking, long bearded miner. While the rest of us were having breakfast, Byron braved the 90 degree morning and rickety wooden sidewalks to locate most of these pennies.. and then went back again with me to squash them.
"Fourth Ward School - Virginia City, Nevada" The next two came from the same machine.
"Virgina City Camel Races" Camel Races are held here every year, I have no idea when, but I don't think I would want to brave the traffic jam into town that weekend....but that's just me.
"I Love You - Virginia City" Hmmm, it's exactly like the Reno I love you penny above...I guess Virginia City is for lovers too!
"Virginia City 1859 - A bustling mining town which yielded a billion dollars in gold and silver" Shows a row of victorian storefronts. For sheer volume of info, this penny is the best in my collection.
"Virginia City - Nevada 1859" This shows a grizzled miner panning for gold, which, by the way, you can still do for about 5 bucks!
"Virginia & Truckee R.R. - Virginia City Nevada"
This one was pressed for me by Jimmy at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot which is down the hill from the main street and housed in an old rail car. Just a tip, follow the signs to the depot, rather than the sound of the whistle...Eric, Crannif, and I walked around and around trying to find the place.
This is it, The fabled Suicide Table! You cannot miss this one, there are about thirty signs advertising it on the road into town. Apparently anyone who has ever owned the card table depicted has ended his life in ruin and despair...except the guy who owns it now, I guess.