According to the Keweenaw Historical Society: "One of the most noteworthy historical sites in Keweenaw County is Central, or Central Mine, a village that once was the home for over 1,200 people, and the site of one Keweenaw's most successful mines. The mine, opened in 1854, produced nearly 52 million pounds of copper by the time it closed in 1898.." I believe that the huge copper exports from Northern Michigan, purchased by the US Mint were the reason that the Indiandhead Cent wears a Chippewa (Ojibway) headdress. The standard story is that the visiting chief placed his warbonnet on little Sarah Longacre; but that legend has been found wanting evidence. Independent of that, these notes also show a circumvention of the federal law of 1863 placing a 10% tax on private banknotes. These are technically bank drafts, payable to the clerk of the Mine. The way it worked was these circulated in town while the Great Lakes were frozen over. When shipping resumed, they were redeemed for New York money. (The back with endorsements is attached.)
I always like seeing Michigan obsoletes (I was raised in the Lower Peninsula). I'd never seen the $15 note -- seems like an odd denomination. I suspect these circulated year-round, as the issue date on your $5 is in August and the lake wouldn't have been frozen yet.
Right... thanks for the obvious fact I overlooked. I just took it from the books. The evidence speaks otherwise. Nice catch!
Nice catch the Central Mine Deuce! I cannot recall ever seeing one of those! PCGS graded them all Fine or Very Fine, but none seems to have been canceled. Are they endorsed? Were they circulated? I think that this poor guy was wadded up in someone's pocket...
Yes, they are all endorsed and have seen plenty of circulation. I have only ever seen one other Central Mine deuce and it was very rough and missing a corner.
