Over the last few years, there’s been a surge of questions in my email about Michigan’s Sesquicentennial Coin. The coin was produced in 1986 by my dad here at Watttsson & Wattsson. I was born in 1990 and my dad passed in 2010, so I had little knowledge of the coin.

Thanks to the Peter White Public Library and the Marquette Regional History Center, I’ve been able to find out more information on the project. I’m still researching, and will be updating this article as I learn more. 

The coins were minted in 1986 out of 14k Upper Peninsula Gold from the Ropes Gold Mine.

The first coin minted was sent to Michigan’s Governor at the time, Governor Blanchard.

Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers was the first one to mint the design in Gold. There was a copper version minted and distributed exclusively for Meijer. It does not have the W&W marking, so I don't believe it was made in my shop. The dies in the photo above are the only ones that we have. 

In addition to being available in our store, the coin was available via banks that were members of the Michigan Bankers Association during the Sesquicentennial celebration in 1987. 

If you have information on the Sesquicentennial coin, email me at chris@wandwjewelers.com. I’d love to hear your stories and any information you might have about the coin.

We're making Valentine's Day easy! We've teamed up with Flower Works and U.P. Supply Co. to make Downtown Marquette sourced packages. 

New this year, you can pre-order packages online from February 1-13. Packages can be picked up or punched in store on February 13-14. We'll also be delivering packages on February 14 within the City of Marquette limits. Packages include gift wrapping. 

Floral Inspirations - $50

This package contains a pair of Sterling Silver Floral Earrings and six roses from Flower Works.

Order Floral Inspirations Package

Swept Me Away - $75

This package includes a Sterling Silver Curved Bar Necklace and six roses from Flower Works.

Order Swept Me Away Package

Will U.P. Mine - $125

Customize this package by choosing from our best selling U.P. jewelry. This package includes your choice of a Sterling Silver U.P. Necklace, Sterling Silver U.P. Dangle Earrings or Sterling Silver U.P. Stud earrings. It also comes with a six roses from Flower Works  and a "Will UP Mine?" card screen printed by hand by Northmost Outpost for U.P. Supply Co. 

Something Extra Special 

Make an in-stock purchase of $250 - $500 between February 1-14 and pick up 6 roses from Flower Works and a "Will UP Mine?" card screen printed by hand by Northmost Outpost for U.P. Supply Co. on February 13-14. Spend $500+ on in-stock merchandise from February 1-14 and pick up 12 roses from Flower Works and a "Will UP Mine?" card screen printed by hand by Northmost Outpost for U.P. Supply Co. on February 13-14. Applies to both in-store and online purchases. Does not apply to custom, special order or repair jobs.

*** Limited quantities available. Delivery fee of $10 will apply at checkout. 

This might be the most frequently asked question we get. When we opened in 1985, we make all the Charmers and Superior Lines out of gold mined from the Ropes Gold Mine in Ishpeming, MI. When Ropes closed in 1991, we no longer had a supplier for UP Gold. 

We have less than 1 oz of pure 24k UP Gold remaining. Like commercially available gold, the pure 24k is alloyed down. We will only produce 14k UP Gold, which means 14 parts UP Gold and 10 parts alloy. We no longer produce 19k, as it would deplete our final ounce faster. 

Because UP Gold is scarce, it is priced at a premium. 

You can purchase a 14k UP Gold Upper Peninsula Pendant here. If you would like to explore creating a custom piece in UP Gold, please book an appointment with Chris to discuss your idea.