The
total production of gold was 4,565,333 fine ounces in 1906, valued at
$94,373,800. This is an increase over the production of 1905 of 299,591
fine ounces, valued at $6,193,100. Fourteen States and Territories
showed decreases in gold production in 1906 amounting to 208,210 fine
ounces and valued at $4,304,100. Of these the greatest losses were
shown bv Colorado, 133,839 fine ounces, valued at $2,766,700;
California, 17,619 fine ounces, valued at $364,200; Montana, 17,768
fine ounces, valued at $367,300; South Dakota, 14,948 fine ounces,
valued at $309,000; and Washington, 12,916 fine ounces, valued at
$267,000. Of the 7 States and Territories showing an increase in gold
production the greatest gains were in Alaska (311,511 ounces, valued at
$6,439,500), and in Nevada (189,606 ounces, valued at $3,919,500). In
no other case did the increase reach $100,000. The total increase of
the 7 States and Territories is 507,801 fine ounces, valued at
$10,497,200, and the difference between these figures and those of the
total decrease gives the increase for the year already noted.
The
production of silver in 1906 in the United States amounted to
56,517,900 fine ounces, with an average commercial value of
$38,256,400. This shows an increase in quantity over the production of
1905 of 416,300 fine ounces, and in value of 84,034,424. Thirteen
States and Territories report a decrease in quantity, amounting in all
to 2,446,000 fine ounces, and 11 report a decrease in value amounting
to $237,726. Nine States and Territories report an increase in
quantity, amounting in all to 2,862,300 fine ounces, and 12 an increase
in value, amounting to $4,272,150. The greatest decreases were in
Montana (914,400 ounces), Nevada (655,900 ounces), Colorado (495,400
ounces), and Texas (139,800 ounces).