Native Copper: Central mine, Central, Keweenaw County, Michigan USA

Description

Species: Native Copper

Locality: Central mine, Central, Keweenaw County, Michigan USA

Dimensions: 11.5 x 10 x 4.3 cm.

SOLD

This is a superb cabinet-size copper specimen from the iconic Central mine in Keweenaw County, Michigan USA. The Central mine, one of the oldest as well as one of the most prolific specimen producing mines in the Keweenaw Peninsula, is noted for these intricate, beautifully “woven” specimens of crystallized copper, showing the sought-after herringbone type of crystallization. In addition to being a very fine copper for the locality, this specimen has an exceptional provenance, being from the collection of Lucius Lee Hubbard (1849–1933), one of the Copper Country’s greatest mineral collectors. Hubbard, in addition to being a professor at the Michigan School of Mines (now Michigan Tech) and Michigan’s sixth state geologist, was an avid mineral collector. He assembled one of the premier collections of Michigan Copper County minerals, now housed at Michigan Tech. Specimens with a documented Hubbard provenance are quite rare on the market, and this piece (LLH collection #782) is a fine piece for the Central mine to boot. A wonderful Michigan copper with a great history. Annette Slade photo.