large Native Copper sheet (Dan Behnke Coll.)

Item Description

Bright rich copper patina on this sculptural large sheet of native copper from the well-known and extinct White Pine Mine of Copper Country. The subtle swirl patterns on both sides and pieces of embedded shale matrix add character to this showy large piece. It looks great from either side. Native copper was deposited in shale beds of the Nonesuch Shale, explaining the sheet-like form. The mine was the only major producer from the Nonesuch Shale in Copper Country. The rest of the mines produced copper and silver from fissures, amygdaloidal basalt and conglomerate. The White Pine was the last major copper mine to close in the historic Copper Country in 1995. Large plates like this are now harder to obtain on the market compared to even a decade ago. Ex Dan Behnke Collection of Chicago. Dan collected coppers and micros. Dan is a member of the Micro Hall of Fame and also collects Michigan specimens. Valued $2500