In 1828, nearly 3 centuries after Hernando de Soto sought gold in northeastern Georgia, the area around Dahlonega (dah-LON-a-gah) boomed with the discovery of the ore. A federal mint built in 1838 coined more than $6 million before it was closed at the outbreak of the Civil War. Gold coins minted in Dahlonega are highly prized by collectors. Learn More...