09/10/2026
Not all summer treasure comes out of a gold pan. Sometimes the most incredible things you can pull from the earth have everything to do with the hands that held them first.
While exploring out in the Medicine Bow Mountains where old timber and railroad grades cut through the backcountry, we came across this tarnished piece of history: a 1902 Swedish 25 Öre silver coin.
Finding Scandinavian currency tucked beneath Wyoming lodgepoles sounds crazy at first—until you remember the army of men who built the backbone of the West: the tie hacks.
At the turn of the 20th century, the expansion of the Union Pacific Railroad demanded millions of wooden cross-ties. To feed the lines, timber companies brought in seasoned broadaxe men, many arriving straight from Sweden and Norway.
Known as "Knights of the Broadaxe," they lived in brutal, isolated winter camps high in the mountains. With seven-pound axes, they dropped trees, hand-hewed ties flat to the exact inch, and rode them down rushing mountain runoff every spring during legendary tie drives.
Minted in 1902 during the reign of King Oscar II—just three years before Norway and Sweden dissolved their union—this coin crossed the Atlantic in a young woodcutter's pocket. It traveled thousands of miles across the ocean, over the plains, and into the Rocky Mountains, only to slip into the dirt over 120 years ago.
Holding it in the early morning sun felt like shaking hands with the past. It’s an unforgettable reminder of the grit, muscle, and quiet sacrifices that built this country.
If you love exploring forgotten history, backcountry relics, and mountain lore with us, make sure to follow along at Pink Misty Minerals And Gems
Khristy Jesse Bridger Shigley
Have you ever stumbled across an unexpected artifact or slice of history while out in the backcountry? Let’s hear your favorite finds in the comments below! 👇
