Help grade this very early copper.

WinLoseWin · January 11, 2009 11:52AM

Help grade this very early copper.

It looks Ground State Red & Brown to me.

Actually it is now one of my favorite coppers. Before someone intercepted it, I am just sure it was destined to become a few 1969-S double die Lincolns or maybe 1958 doubled dies, or at least something very rare whether early or late.

Had to post this after seeing Resco has a 13 oz specimen, with crystals even, up for sale on Ebay. Now I have copper envy, but mine will have to suffice no matter how inadequate it seems now.

DorkGirl · January 11, 2009 12:28PM

lordmarcovan · January 11, 2009 12:40PM

Wow. Much more early than I anticipated.

They don't come more "original" than that!

kaz · January 11, 2009 12:49PM

planchet looks kind of granular, I apologize if I'm being too hard.

AUandAG · January 11, 2009 1:32PM

Sure has crappy toning that is hiding the wear.

bob

ColonialCoinUnion · January 11, 2009 10:43PM

I never want to see one of those again.

lordmarcovan · January 12, 2009 2:51AM

Eh, you're just sore that you got suckered into this thread like the rest of us, CCU. You gotta admit, it was an expertly-laid trap.

McDonis · January 12, 2009 2:56AM

I believe SGS would grade MS70......

newbiecollector · January 12, 2009 3:04AM

I am far from being an expert at these but ... my vote says..........

NT

robkool · January 12, 2009 3:06AM

KOOL !!!

Hussulo · January 12, 2009 3:22AM

Is that CAC

Stickered?

ElKevvo · January 12, 2009 3:32AM

I am not an expert on these but I believe it is pre-mint damage. The pre-planchet metal has been removed from it's protective strata and this, unfortunately will limit it's value as a numismatic collectible unless it is melted and transformed into a shiny round disc that can be used in commerce. Still a nice specimen and thanks for sharing!

K

PS...just kidding...

DoctorPaper · January 12, 2009 3:32AM

Actually, there is an interesting story about these copper mines which are located in the upper Michigan peninsula. There are/were massive copper deposits in the area which were mined during the late prehistoric period by unknown cultures (5-10,000 BC). The amount of copper removed was massive, much more than could be accounted for by use of native populations-i.e. indians, eskimos, etc. Unfortunately, no tools, skeletons, writings, etc. were left behind at the sites to help determine who did the mining. The mine shafts are deeper and have a more "modern" appearance than do other prehistoric mine sites.

This has led to some interesting speculative literature that the massive amount of copper (millions of tons) from these sites somehow made its way to Europe and Asia, and fueled the developing copper and bronze ages there, since there were only small copper resources in Europe and Asia. This in turn suggests there was some kind of commerce during this period (5-10,000 BC) between the Eastern and Western hemispheres, that has never been documented. Otherwise, where did all the copper from these mines go?

The other more fanatastical theory of where this copper went is that it is no longer on this planet. You can figure out for yourself what that would imply.

Anyway, food (or metal) for thought.

Musky1011 · January 12, 2009 7:02AM

Have you ever seen the specimen up in Watersmeet,Michigan outside the DNR office
It weighs about a ton

Help grade this very early copper.

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