Stephanite St Andreasberg, St Andreasberg District, Harz, Lower...
Stephanite St Andreasberg, St Andreasberg District, Harz, Lower Saxony, Germany "A longish cluster of loosely intergrown black shiny prismatic stephanite crystals to about a cm. Traded this specimen from the George Vaux collection from Bryn Mawr College near Philadelphia when Harold Arndt was still curator." - Rock H. Currier Germany has a long and venerable tradition of mining, and the education of mining professionals, going back hundreds of years. Even today, the Bergakademie Freiberg, as it is known, is training a new generation of mining engineers. The Silver minerals of the Harz Mountains have furnished a steady flow of coinage, and the like, over many centuries. Coins that were literally mined, like 'bit-coins,' but were/are tangible and were used to fund the ruling dynasties. Just one example of what powered this phenomenon is the Stephanite before you. As a representative of the Silver minerals of the district, this one is far above the "run of the mill" ores found in the mines. The size and perfection of its constituent crystals make it a standout among others of the species. A little provenance doesn't hurt, either. Like the Bergakademie; this is a piece of history. Overall Measurements: 2.0 x 1.2 x 0.6 inches (5.0 x 3.0 x 1.5 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Ex. Bryn Mawr College, Ex. George Vaux Collections [RHC #1568, acquired 1971] MinID MYU-8W8 [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
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Stephanite St Andreasberg, St Andreasberg District, Harz, Lower Saxony, Germany "A longish cluster of loosely intergrown black shiny prismatic stephanite crystals to about a cm. Traded this specimen from the George Vaux collection from Bryn Mawr College near Philadelphia when Harold Arndt was still curator." - Rock H. Currier Germany has a long and venerable tradition of mining, and the education of mining professionals, going back hundreds of years. Even today, the Bergakademie Freiberg, as it is known, is training a new generation of mining engineers. The Silver minerals of the Harz Mountains have furnished a steady flow of coinage, and the like, over many centuries. Coins that were literally mined, like 'bit-coins,' but were/are tangible and were used to fund the ruling dynasties. Just one example of what powered this phenomenon is the Stephanite before you. As a representative of the Silver minerals of the district, this one is far above the "run of the mill" ores found in the mines. The size and perfection of its constituent crystals make it a standout among others of the species. A little provenance doesn't hurt, either. Like the Bergakademie; this is a piece of history. Overall Measurements: 2.0 x 1.2 x 0.6 inches (5.0 x 3.0 x 1.5 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Ex. Bryn Mawr College, Ex. George Vaux Collections [RHC #1568, acquired 1971] MinID MYU-8W8 [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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Time, Location
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