Mimetite (1969 pocket)

San Pedro Corralitos, Mun. de Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico
Cabinet, 11.0 x 9.0 x 5.5 cm
Start Time: 04/15/2021 6:00:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 05/01/2021 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $11,550

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.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$11,550 05/01/2021 6:23:43 pm (CDT)
$11,500 05/01/2021 6:22:45 pm (CDT)
$11,499 05/01/2021 6:22:45 pm (CDT)
$11,249 05/01/2021 6:22:29 pm (CDT)
$11,199 05/01/2021 6:22:29 pm (CDT)
$11,149 05/01/2021 6:15:45 pm (CDT)
$11,099 05/01/2021 6:15:45 pm (CDT)
$11,049 05/01/2021 6:10:56 pm (CDT)
$10,999 05/01/2021 6:10:56 pm (CDT)
$10,550 05/01/2021 6:10:46 pm (CDT)
$10,500 05/01/2021 6:10:46 pm (CDT)
$10,149 05/01/2021 6:07:03 pm (CDT)
$10,099 05/01/2021 6:07:03 pm (CDT)
$10,049 05/01/2021 6:04:48 pm (CDT)
$9,999 05/01/2021 6:04:48 pm (CDT)
$9,925 05/01/2021 6:01:23 pm (CDT)
$9,875 05/01/2021 6:01:22 pm (CDT)
$9,050 05/01/2021 6:00:59 pm (CDT)
$9,000 05/01/2021 6:00:59 pm (CDT)
$8,550 05/01/2021 6:00:50 pm (CDT)
$8,500 05/01/2021 6:00:50 pm (CDT)
$8,287 05/01/2021 5:57:04 pm (CDT)
$8,237 05/01/2021 5:57:04 pm (CDT)
$8,187 05/01/2021 5:43:12 pm (CDT)
$8,137 05/01/2021 5:43:12 pm (CDT)
$7,825 05/01/2021 5:20:51 pm (CDT)
$7,775 05/01/2021 5:20:51 pm (CDT)
$7,331 05/01/2021 5:12:12 pm (CDT)
$7,281 05/01/2021 5:12:12 pm (CDT)
$6,401 05/01/2021 5:11:32 pm (CDT)
$6,351 05/01/2021 5:11:32 pm (CDT)
$4,550 04/30/2021 8:36:50 pm (CDT)
$4,500 * 04/23/2021 10:02:03 am (CDT)
$4,500 * 04/23/2021 10:02:03 am (CDT)
$4,050 04/23/2021 10:01:48 am (CDT)
$4,000 04/23/2021 10:01:48 am (CDT)
$3,550 04/23/2021 10:01:24 am (CDT)
$3,500 04/23/2021 10:01:24 am (CDT)
$3,051 04/21/2021 7:31:19 pm (CDT)
$3,001 04/21/2021 7:31:19 pm (CDT)
$2,850 04/21/2021 2:53:17 pm (CDT)
$2,800 04/21/2021 2:53:17 pm (CDT)
$2,050 04/16/2021 5:18:54 pm (CDT)
$2,000 04/16/2021 5:18:54 pm (CDT)
$1,250 04/16/2021 11:14:59 am (CDT)
$1,200 04/16/2021 11:14:59 am (CDT)
$1,050 04/16/2021 11:07:57 am (CDT)
$1,000 04/16/2021 11:07:57 am (CDT)
$210 04/16/2021 10:24:27 am (CDT)
$200 04/16/2021 10:24:27 am (CDT)
$100 04/16/2021 10:22:16 am (CDT)
* Proxy Bid Battle: In the event of two customers inputting matching proxy bids, the leading bid goes to the earliest of the two proxy bids. Tie winners are shown in bold.