SOUTHERN GOLD SOCIETY PRESERVES GOLD RUSH GALLERY

 

 

The Southern Gold Society (SGS) is pleased to announce that GoldRushGallery.com, one of the most respected online resources dedicated to Southern gold coins and the history of the Georgia Gold Rush, has found a permanent home under the stewardship of the society.

For more than 25 years, Gold Rush Gallery has offered collectors, researchers, and historians an extensive collection of articles, historical research, reference materials, and images documenting the coinage of the Southern branch mints and America's early gold rushes. Originally created by veteran numismatist Al Adams, with significant historical contributions by Carl Lester and long-time technical support from Randal Bollig, the website has become an indispensable educational resource within the numismatic community.

The transition to SGS's guardianship follows a 15-month-long preservation project, launched as Adams prepared for retirement after a distinguished 55-year career in the coin business to ensure that Gold Rush Gallery would remain available to future generations.

The project brought together Adams, Lester, Bollig, and David Crenshaw, to coordinate the preservation effort. The team evaluated several long-term preservation options, including archived hosting through the Newman Numismatic Portal. Ultimately the group determined that maintaining the website as a fully functional resource would better preserve its extensive historical content and the thousands of existing links that researchers and collectors rely upon.

The ideal solution emerged when it was determined that the Southern Gold Society's existing hosting plan could accommodate a second website without increased annual hosting costs. Working together, Crenshaw and Bollig successfully migrated the website to the society's hosting account, preserving its functionality and ensuring uninterrupted public access.

"When we began discussing the future of Gold Rush Gallery, my greatest hope was that it could continue educating and inspiring collectors long after my retirement," said Al Adams. "The website has always been about sharing knowledge and preserving the history of Southern gold. I can think of no better steward for its future than the Southern Gold Society, whose mission so closely reflects the purpose for which Gold Rush Gallery was created."

David Crenshaw added, "Gold Rush Gallery has long been one of the hobby's finest educational resources devoted to Southern gold. Preserving it wasn't simply about saving a website—it was about safeguarding decades of scholarship and making sure future collectors continue to benefit from the knowledge that Al, Carl, and so many other contributors have shared. The Southern Gold Society is honored to carry that legacy forward."

The project, like the gallery itself, reflects the collaborative spirit of the numismatic community, combining historical scholarship, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to preserving knowledge. Thanks to this partnership, one of the hobby's most valuable online references will remain freely available to continue educating collectors about the rich history of Southern gold coinage.

The Southern Gold Society extends its sincere appreciation to Al Adams for creating and generously entrusting Gold Rush Gallery to them. The SGS also recognizes Carl Lester for his decades of historical research, Randal Bollig for his technical expertise and years of maintaining the website, and David Crenshaw for coordinating the preservation project and leading the migration effort.

Collectors and researchers can continue exploring Gold Rush Gallery at GoldRushGallery.com. To learn more about the Southern Gold Society, its educational programs, and membership opportunities, visit www.SouthernGoldSociety.org.

About the Southern Gold Society
Founded to promote the enjoyment and study of Southern gold coinage and its rich history, the Southern Gold Society brings together collectors, researchers, dealers, and historians through an informal blend of education and fellowship. The society is dedicated to advancing the appreciation of the gold coins of the Dahlonega, Charlotte, and New Orleans branch mints, as well as the private gold issues of Templeton Reid and the Bechtler family.

Through meetings, educational programs, scholarly research, and the sharing of knowledge among members, SGS encourages the preservation of original Southern gold coins while serving as a leading resource for enthusiasts of Southern numismatics. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in Southern gold coinage and its fascinating history.

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