Acanthite: Freiberg Mining District, Mittelsachsen, Saxony, Germany

Description

Species: Acanthite, Calcite

Locality: Freiberg Mining District, Mittelsachsen, Saxony, Germany

Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.4 x 2.5 cm.

SOLD

Ex. William “Bill” Severance Collection, Ex. Krantz

Germany’s Freiberg District has been known for it’s superb crystallized silver minerals for hundreds of years. This is a choice and rather unusual crystallized acanthite from 19th century finds, featuring a combination of highly-elongated spinel-twinned crystals to 2+ cm (psuedomorphs after native silver?) as well as sharp cubic acanthite crystals measuring ~7 mm wide. Minor yellow calcite provides a little contrast. A wonderfully-intricate Freiberg acanthite, in fine condition and aesthetic from multiple sides. From the noted collection of William “Bill” Severance of West Grove Pennsylvania, and also comes with a Krantz Mineralienkontour label from the late 1900’s, with a charming handwritten note on the back of the Krantz label noting the collector paid “4.37” (German Marks) for the specimen, and below that another note berating Krantz for his high prices! Some things never change! 🙂 A wonderful old-time German acanthite with a great provenance. Annette Slade photo.