Mimetite (1969 pocket)

Item Description

In all the world, there are really only three named pockets of one of the most important and beautiful of collectible lead species, mimetite; the Gem Pocket from Tsumeb in 1971; the 1988 Green pocket from Elura Silver Mine; and the 1969 San Pedro pocket. Out of all that has been found, each one of these pockets is simply unique for the combination of color and style of the specimens found just that once, in one hole in the ground in a place and time. Is that not crazy, that we know such things and, further, that they are so rare in the world? This pocket was unique for the intense orange-yellow color, the sparkling luster, and the overall shape of the beautiful rounded balls (botryoidal growths) of mimetite. It was like no other before or since, and remains unequaled. They came out with dealer Benny Fenn, who stumbled on the pocket in an old exploratory prospect. I happen to know on good authority that he and others went back looking for more and found nothing in later years. He took them to Tucson and sold them instantly, apparently selling out by the end of the first show. They initially sold by the kilo in the 1970s and now, try finding any good one, let alone anything good in cabinet size under $10,000 or so... you cannot. Today, specimens from this pocket are legendary and essentially unavailable. Collectors who own them simply do not sell them. This specimen is a very important example for the overall quality and size. It is nearly pristine, with only a few very faint, tiny dings on the large carpet of rolling mimetite here (as do most such specimens, after 50 years of changing hands). As displayed vertically in the video, there is no damage to the display face, and one small ding off to the left side. However, you can actually display this a number of ways and it is essentially a 360-degree specimen depending on preference. Several dealers (including us) valued this in the $20,000-25,000 range in the past.