Signed Edward Drinker Cope Stock Certificate. ...

Description

Signed Edward Drinker Cope Stock Certificate

Any student of, or enthusiast for, paleontology will know the revered name of Edward Drinker Cope, the famous paleontologist so well known for his role in the notorious "Bone Wars" of the 19th Century along with his rival Othniel Charles Marsh. Cope published over 1,400 papers and discovered a total of 56 new Dinosaur species during an illustrious 40-year career. The majority of Cope's fortune was used to finance his expeditions collecting specimens, but his resources were dwindling by the end of the 1800s when he needed to find other avenues for raising capital. As a result, Cope invested heavily in the mining industry by purchasing several working Gold and Silver mines, primarily in New Mexico. Cope incorporated under The Sierra Apache Mining Company in 1881, serving as its President, and he was an officer in three other mining concerns. Needless to say, Cope's talent and success in business were not on par with his abilities in the realm of paleontology. His stock became devalued, his corporation was closed, and his ventures in mining ceased. This phenomenal piece of paleontological history consists of a mining stock certificate of Sierra Apache dated January 9, 1886 and numbered Certificate 1389 that was signed by Edward Drinker Cope. One of only a handful of such surviving certificates actually bearing Cope's sought-after signature, this example has the autograph of the great Dinosaur Hunter, albeit in a more business-related capacity. The certificate is for 100 shares of the Capital Stock in The Sierra Apache Mining Company of an original 200,000 shares that were valued at par of $25 each to raise an initial $5,000,000 to fund mines located at Lake Valley, New Mexico. The paper is in excellent condition with all signatures, stamps, and seals clear and visible. Both sides are relatively pristine, and a handwritten "R205" appears on the reverse side.
Overall Measurements: 10.00 x 6.75 inches (25.40 x 17.14 cm)

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