green Witherite

Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-In-Rock Mining Sub-Dist., Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
Ex. Vasco Trancoso, Gary Hansen
Small Cabinet, 6.8 x 5.8 x 5.7 cm
Start Time: 01/25/2023 7:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 02/05/2023 5:00:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $1,649

Item Description

For those of you who, like me, think we have seen it all from the Midwest's most famous mines, here is a highly unusual specimen of light green-yellow Witherite crystals from the Minerva No. 1 Mine in the Southern Illinois' historic Fluorspar district. Some of the best Witherites have originated from this prolific mine when it was in operation from the 1940s to the 1990s. This small cabinet-sized specimen is highlighted by a robust, thick fan of translucent light green Witherite with a yellowish tint, that measures 3.6 cm tall, 4.4 cm across and 3.3 cm in thickness. It is accompanied by several sheaf-like, columnar aggregates of a different crystal style of Witherite as well, these ranging in size from 1 to 2.5 cm in size. The Witherites are all perched on a thin substrate of purple Fluorite that is underlain by either Baryte or Witherite and some white Calcite. This is a very aesthetic and unusual piece from the district, with phenomenal display quality. The crystals are fully translucent. Shown are different photos showing it backlit strongly, not at all, and under ultraviolet light for fluorescence. This slight green color is thought to be due to the presence of minute nickel content. It is extremely rare, and in my life I have seen fewer than 5 good ones. This is an old specimen from the personal collection of St Louis-based, oldtime dealer Gary Hansen. Gary was a major dealer in this material in the time it was coming out. We sold it perhaps around 2006 and it has circled back around to us recently, a piece I always remembered. Recently, in the Dr Vasco Trancoso collection in Portugal for the last decade. Valued $5000-6000.

Did You Know We Offer Custom Bases?

Learn More

Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$1,649 02/05/2023 4:42:37 pm (CST)
$1,599 02/05/2023 4:42:37 pm (CST)
$1,500 02/05/2023 4:26:38 pm (CST)
$1,450 02/05/2023 4:26:38 pm (CST)
$1,260 02/05/2023 4:26:25 pm (CST)
$1,210 02/05/2023 4:26:24 pm (CST)
$1,050 02/05/2023 4:26:15 pm (CST)
$1,000 02/05/2023 4:26:15 pm (CST)
$900 02/01/2023 12:52:48 am (CST)
$883 02/01/2023 12:52:48 am (CST)
$745 02/01/2023 12:52:28 am (CST)
$720 02/01/2023 12:52:28 am (CST)
$575 01/30/2023 8:42:47 am (CST)
$550 01/30/2023 8:42:47 am (CST)
$436 01/28/2023 6:42:55 pm (CST)
$426 01/28/2023 6:42:54 pm (CST)
$148 01/27/2023 1:54:18 pm (CST)
$138 01/27/2023 1:54:18 pm (CST)
$125 01/26/2023 5:05:33 pm (CST)
$115 01/26/2023 5:05:33 pm (CST)
$100 01/25/2023 10:03:38 pm (CST)