late 19th century, embosses "NEW YORK and BLACK HILLS GOLD MINING COMPANY./CORPORATE/SEAL",  parcel-gilt and black-painted iron lion's head-form with scrolled handle, with holes for mounting, 11 x 6-1/2 x 2-1/4 in.

Similar to the Gold Rush in California, the discovery of gold on sacred Sioux lands in the Black Hills, SD resulted in a flood of new settlers. Threatened by the influx of white men, the Sioux began to attack miners and their camps. On June 25-26, 1876 Sitting Bull and an army of American Indians met General Custer's at Little Bighorn. Custer and 267 men died and lost. The battle did not stop the miners or businesses from establishing in the area. One company was The Black Hills Gold Mining Company. 

Jabez Chase and a group of men formed The Black Hills Gold Mining Company in Cheyenne, WY, and established the very first Quartz Mill on October 7th, 1876. Two of their earliest mines were The Hidden Treasure & Esmeralda Mines. In order to receive more investors from the East, the company re-named itself the New York and Black Hills Gold Mining Company.