Big California American River Nugget
 

A good friend put me in contact with the seller of this beauty a couple of days ago. Nuggets this size from the American River (or California in general) are scarce as hens teeth. You just don't see them this size much anymore unless they are from Australia. Even back in the gold rush days, nuggets like this were a rarity. This one in particular carries alot of historical significance in that it was found in the area where the California Gold Rush first began. Actual size is about 3 inches length, 1 3/4 inches width and thickness. Thought you folks might like to see it........

Re: Big California American River Nugget
 

Wow. Nice

Re: Big California American River Nugget
 

All nuggets (+/10 mesh) are "rare"; there are more diamonds found than gold nuggets. What you have pictured is probably 1-in-3+ million in the U.S. The largest on I ever found was just a tad shy of 3.25 dwt.

Thanks for posting the picture.

Re: Big California American River Nugget
 

True Goldminer, most folks just don't realize the true rarity of gold in nugget form. All of the nuggets from Australia have tended to stiffle the market in recent years, but like most areas of collectibles, provenance means everything. Here stateside, we generally don't see nuggets of the size of some of those from "Oz". That makes them all the more desirable to collectors. Most of our larger ones usually originate in Alaska rather than down in the lower 48. This particular nugget was found about 50 years ago, and is not a recent find. It stayed in the family of the original finder for many years and just recently came on the market. This is the largest American River nugget I have seen in many, many years, and I have been interested and collecting nugget and specimen gold since the 60s. It's nice to know there are others out there who appreciate the beauty and rarity involved.

Re: Big California American River Nugget
 

AUNuggets, A few years ago I visited Eastern Oregon. In Baker City I came across a bank that had an excellent display of the gold nuggets which came from the local area. It also had a very rare example of crystalline gold. I believe the name of the bank was something like Baker City National Bank but not sure. Most likely you could ask any local and they would know where to send you. This was an old time bank in town and had this nigget display for many years. I was really impressed!

Re: Big California American River Nugget
 

That's a great nugget. I saw some really interesting ones in a display case at a Barrick mine in Nevada a few years ago. The mine was playing out and they were beginning reclaimation.

Re: Big California American River Nugget
 

Thanks, I'll look into that. I love looking through old nugget collections and exhibits. The Smithsonian has one heck of a nice collection, and those big nuggets at the Golden Nugget Casino in Vegas are awsome. The San Francisco Mint had a nice collection years ago (see pic) that they use to display with stacks of gold bars. Now and then I will run across photos of old large nuggets while researching the California gold rush era that just make your eyes bugg-out. My wife is originally from Nevada City CA in the middle of gold rush country, so has an interest too. These days it's really getting to be a challenge to find nice American nuggets, but every now and then, someone will break up or sell a few off from old collections. Being in the right place at the right time has it's advantages.

Re: Big California American River Nugget
 

Here's the nugget I'd like to have in my collection....:D

http://goldismoney.info/forums/attac...1&d=1153621111