An ingot smelted from the last ore mined at Britain’s final tin mine has made over £14,000 at auction.
The solid block of pure metal was extracted from the finishing consignment on the final day of mining at South Crofty in 1998.
It is seen as symbolically and historically significant because it’s the last product from the very end of Britain’s tin mining industry – making it a “closing chapter” item and extremely valuable to collectors, historians, or museums.
READ MORE: Unique 215mph British motor – the only one of its kind made – selling for £190,000
- Advertisement -
Tin mining in Britain pre-dates the Roman invasion and was once a thriving industry.
Cornwall was the UK’s tin capital and was home to hundreds of tin mines at the industry’s peak.
But it gradually declined as prices dropped and foreign competition grew.
There have been no working tin mines in Britain for over 25 years.
Now the last ingot has been sold, as reported by Whats The Jam.
- Advertisement -
It reached £6,400 and that was matched by smelters The Wheal Jane Group taking the total raised to £12,800 in aid of Children’s Hospice South West.
Lay’s Auctioneers also donated £1,344, taking the final total raised for CHSW to £14,144.
Ahead of the sale auctioneer David Lay said: “There is fanatical interest in industrial history.
- Advertisement -
“This is Cornish tin smelted and refined in Cornwall.”
Wheal Jane Laboratories Director Clifford Rice added: “It’s a celebration of hundreds of years of Cornish tin mining.
“It’s the last ingot from the last ore from the last mine in Britain.”
The ingot weighs 28lb and has a traditional lamb and flag hot mark and a new Wheal Jane hot mark too.
After the sale a Lay’s Auctioneers spokesperson said: “It was a great thrill for us to handle the sale of such an historic item and to help the children’s hospice, a charity that is close to our hearts.
“Huge thanks go to Wheal Jane for their generosity and to all our wonderful bidders.”
READ MORE: Luxury tote that looks like cheap plastic bag selling for £775
