This is a competition-quality miniature from an important, classic, historic locality! This copper has many things going for it: Great form and natural chocolatey patina, spinel twinning, and an innate beauty. For its size, this is one of the best and most intricate copper specimens I have ever seen.

This is a rarely-seen specimen from the famous find of March 1974, of spinel twinned coppers at the Ray Mine. Frank Valenzuela was one of the miners who collected and dispersed this pocket, and this was one of two specimens he kept for his own collection. Some people thought Frank was "just a miner", but he is a knowledgeable and astute collector with superb taste, in addition to his lifelong jobs in mining in Arizona. He knew what he found, and actively sought specimens in places others may not have. This find is perhaps the single most famous copper find in the state of Arizona, and in fact in recent memory from any locality. Specimens from this pocket are on the cover of the Mineralogical Record and in major private collections, one having changed hands for over several hundred thousand dollars. They have an elegance and beauty, but also a historic importance to them, now. This piece has never been cleaned and retains its original patina of rich chocolate tones with moderate lustre. It could be brightened if desired, without removing the patina in full. This fine copper is from the core copper suite of the Frank Valenzuela collection. His best suite is , I think, the copper subcollection, with focus on historic Arizona locales. Seldom does he part with a copper of any kind in trades or sales. This was a special case, as part of a one-time sale from the collection, that will not be repeated any time soon. Shown is a photo of Frank holding this piece (he has a watercolor painting of it to remember it by). Joe Budd Photos. For more on this important find, see also American Mineral Treasures pages 86-93 on the Ray Mine. A copper from this find is one of the most rarified and important of Southern US classics.