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Lot
49048

NATIVE SILVER - "HALF-BREED". ...

2012 May 20 Natural History & Fine Minerals Signature Auction- New York #6068

Sold for: Not Sold Not Sold
Auction Ended On: May 20, 2012
Item Activity: 1 Internet/mail/phone bidders Number of Bidders
578 page views
Location: Center 548
548 W. 22nd St.
New York, NY 10011

Description:
NATIVE SILVER - "HALF-BREED"
Minesota Mine, Rockland, Ontonagon Co., Michigan, USA
The "Copper Country" of Upper Michigan is one of the few places on Earth where metallic Copper frequently occurs along with similarly metallic Silver: sometimes appearing together in the same piece. Early in the area's mining history these mixed masses were referred to as "half-breeds" by the miners, a term that is still in use today. Normally, "half-breeds" are small (one ounce or less) and chiefly composed of Copper with a considerably smaller amount of Silver in the mix. That both of these elements occur as distinctly separate portions, and not as an alloy, is still a matter that confounds geochemists and geologists alike. Here we have a very large example that is anomalously high in Silver: quite the reverse of normal. In appearance, it is composed of many crude crystals of Silver forming the upper portion of the specimen and crystalline patches of Copper that are oxidized to the color of old saddle leather, making up the majority of the lower portion. This surface condition is much preferred by collectors over the shiny 'new penny' look that detracts from a specimen's value. Intermixed with the metallic portion is a white Quartz groundmass of breccia fragments characteristic of material from the Minesota Mine near Rockland in Ontanagon County. The name 'Minesota' seems to have been a typographical error that occurred early enough in the mine's legal paperwork as to be permanently enshrined in this property's history.
This unusual specimen is from the collection of Dr. Ed David, chief Science Advisor to President Nixon. It is in fine condition, measures 3 3/8 x 3½ x 2¼ inches (8.6 x 8.9 x 5.7 cm), and has a custom labeled base.

Provenance: ex. Ed David Collection #108BB

Condition Report*:

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