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Copper Country Bullion

Sale price$18.00

The First Troy Ounce Copper Bullion Coin

A solid copper bullion coin honoring the famous Quincy Mine in Hancock, Michigan, located on the scenic Keweenaw Peninsula. The piece was minted from a massive blank weighing 36 grams of pure .997 copper. On the obverse is a high relief image of a miner with pick, oil lamp, and pipe. The reverse side depicts the still-standing Quincy #2 shaft-house, a National Historic Site, viewed from the south.
This coin was made in 2006 and is historically significant in the bullion trade as it was the first ever use of troy ounces as the weight designation of copper bullion. The use of the troy ounce in denominating the weight of copper was intended as an offhand joke, as troy ounces are generally used only in reference to precious metals. The fact that the 36 gram weight is almost five grams over a troy ounce made the piece even more ludicrous, and was intended to be representative of the fact that you get more than your money's worth when you visit the Copper Country! Even though it was a joke, it has now, years later, become commonplace for copper bars and rounds to be designated in troy ounces.
This is a fine piece of mining-related exonumia, a great addition to any collection of Upper Peninsula minerals or artifacts, and a historically significant bullion piece.

This Copper Country Bullion is struck from solid copper, measures 3.3 cm in diameter, and weighs about 36 grams. Design by

Tom Maringer, engraving by Gary Carlisle and Stan Pearson

Learn more about our artists.




© Shire Post Mint. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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D
Doug O.
Excellent gift!

I bought five of Copper Country Coins with the intent on gifting most of them to foreign geologic associates that I've been working with for the last three years. It is an impressive piece of metal and has quite a heft in your hand. The engraving on both sides is impeccable and it is a work of art. I look forward to seeing the reactions of the recipients when they get them this summer in Greenland.
Of the two I intend to keep, one will stay in its plastic wrapper. The other I will display on my desk where people can handle it and view both sides. I'm curious to see if it will develop a patina over time.
In summary, I'm quite happy with the purchase and iexpect to get enjoyment out of it for years to come.

M
Mary L.J.
Copper Country Bullion Coins Are Superior!

I recently purchased a couple of the Copper Country Coins, and I'm extremely happy with them. They are hefty, being 1 ounce of copper, and the engraving is clean and well done. I'm a "Yooper", as is my husband, of many years, and one can't escape the mining history that is part of every road and every dwelling in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Choosing a miner for the theme is appropriate and desirable. The presentation of the coin is also very cool, and it's quite apparent to me that the people who produce the coins care a lot about what it looks like when it leaves their hands as much as when it arrives in yours. One of the two I bought is slated to be a give to another Yooper friend, and I'm sure she will enjoy it every bit as much as I do mine. Thanks guys!

I'm glad you like the coin! You may also enjoy Tom Maringer's novel, A Superior State of Affairs, set in the U.P. You can read the synopsis here: https://www.shirepost.com/products/a-superior-state-of-affairs

T
Tom V.

Copper Country Bullion

s
sean
beautiful coin

although copper is not generally my favorite metal type, this is a beautifully done coin and i intend to order some more as gifts. it is a splendid addition to any collection.

T
Tom
Handful of Copper

This is a nice, novel, and hefty little round of copper. You're definitely buying this as an art round, and not a bullion piece. But you can know that, since it's from Shire Post, it's excellent art.

Copper Country Bullion
Copper Country Bullion Sale price$18.00