Description/Interesting Notes:
A rare, old time example of polybasite from this historic locality!!! This specimen hosts a broad face covered with a complex
network of thin, intergrown polybasite crystals in association with several other sulphides including a few scattered
masses of bright ruby red pyrargyrite!!! The great majority of the front face of the specimen is actually comprised of crystalline
polybasite - present as a broad crystalline "sheet"!!! The oriented crystal features
show a significant flash of luster in person!!! In addition to the polybasite and pyrargyrite,
there are patches of microcrystalline chalcopyrite on the polybasite crystals as well as significant masses of darkly colored
sphalerite and some intergrown galena visible on the reverse!!! The majority of the darkly colored material on the reverse
appears to be either massive polybasite or stephanite with the other sulphides intermixed!!! This is old time material that dates to the
late 19th century!!! While we have had interesting polybasite specimens from the other historic Nevada silver localities, this is
one of the best examples we have seen from Comstock!!!
Specimens from this locality are quite scarce today, as very few specimens survived smelting
in the fervent search for riches!!! Nevada is known as "The Silver State" due to its rich
silver-mining history and it all began in this famous district!!!
The pics hardly do it justice!!! Must be seen in person to be fully appreciated!!!
Good luck and be sure to check out my other exciting mineral auctions on ebay!!! STAY TUNED!!! MORE AUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL 5-DAY AUCTION, ENDING THURSDAY DECEMBER 22nd!!!
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