NATIVE Copper

Unknown Owner

White Pine mine in Ontonagon County, Michigan, was the last of the Keweenaw Peninsula copper mines to close, in 1995, bringing to an end over 150 years of continuous copper production in the region. Although White Pine mine's own history does not extend that far back it was opened in 1880 and in just over a century produced 1.8 million tons of refined copper and 45 million ozs of silver. Many fine White Pine mine Native Copper specimens, some with remarkable crystal forms, grace collections around the world. This slightly bizarre large cabinet-sized Native Copper from White Pine mine gets more intriguing the more one looks at it. In fact, it wouldn't look out of place in a modern art gallery. On one side it looks like a coat hanger, but on the other a strange bird-like creature looks to be trying to hatch out from one edge. A most peculiar specimen. Ex David Hardman collection.