Prospector Barry Clay struck gold in 1998 when he discovered the impressive Alaska Centennial Gold Nugget, weighing a hefty 21lbs. This nugget is the second largest ever found in the Western Hemisphere and is now up for grabs in Dallas, TX for a cool $1 million, more than two decades after its discovery. Hermitage Auctions is offering this remarkable piece alongside other precious treasures. Grab your chance to own a piece of history with one of the largest gold nuggets ever found now available for sale.
A remarkable discovery was made by him a century after the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, earning the name ‘Alaska Centennial’. This discovery occurred while he was operating his bulldozer along the banks of Swift Creek Mine. Realizing the significance of his find, Clay decided to temporarily bury the nugget under a tree in Alaska while he contemplated his next move. Eventually, he sought the expertise of professionals who confirmed it as the second-largest gold nugget found in the Western Hemisphere and the largest in Alaska’s history. This nugget is just slightly smaller than the ‘Boot of Cortez’ nugget discovered in Mexico in 1989, weighing 24lbs. The current owner, who acquired the nugget from Clay two decades ago, is now selling it through Heritage Auctions in Dallas, along with other precious items.
In 1998, gold miner Barry Clay uncovered the impressive Alaska Centennial Nugget on Swift Creek in Alaska. Weighing 21 pounds and measuring 6.75 inches by 5.75 inches, this nugget holds the title as Alaska’s largest gold find, second only to the ‘Boot of Cortez’ nugget unearthed in Mexico.
Craig Kissick, who is the director of nature and science at Heritage Auctions, and Joe Maddalena, the Executive Vice President, are seen in the photo displaying a remarkable gold nugget that will be auctioned off on December 8 along with other precious items. The nugget, held in Maddalena’s hands, was discovered by prospector Barry Clay in 1998 at Swift Creek, Alaska. Clay’s find came a century after the 1896 Klondike Gold Rush, leading to the nugget’s name ‘Alaska Centennial’. The interest in mining in the area was ignited in 1896 when Skookum Jim Mason uncovered gold near the Klondike river in the Yukon region of Northwestern Canada.
The upcoming gold, gems, and fine minerals auction in Dallas, Texas by Hermitage Auctions will feature the exceptional Alaska Centennial Gold Nugget as its centerpiece. Anticipated to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars on December 8th, these prized pieces have a fascinating origin story. Gold nuggets are products of erosion, being separated from their original rocks and carried by water to eventually settle in sediments. Only a small number of nuggets weighing over 15 pounds exist, as most mined gold is processed. This makes the Alaska Centennial Nugget one of the rarest and largest examples of its kind. Uncovered in 1998 by Barry Clay along Swift Creek near Ruby, Alaska, this historic find has rightfully earned its place as the largest gold nugget ever discovered in the region.
The Alaska Centennial Nugget was recently acquired by a private collector after being part of his collection for all this time. This unique opportunity will be featured at the upcoming Heritage auction in Dallas, alongside an impressive selection of precious crystals and artifacts, including ‘gold geysers’.
Among the items up for sale are two native gold crystals unearthed in the Venezuelan jungle in the 1980s, expected to fetch impressive sums of $300,000 and $600,000 respectively. Additionally, a stunning ‘frozen geyser of gold’ from the Eagle’s Nest mine in California and a crystallized gold leaf believed to be from Mexico are valued at $200,000 and $150,000 respectively.
Established in Dallas in 1976 by two passionate coin collectors, Heritage Auctions has grown into one of the largest auction houses in America. They specialize in selling a wide range of items, from precious metals and artifacts to rare comic books and sports memorabilia.
The upcoming auction, scheduled for December 8, was previewed on YouTube by Craig Kissick, director of nature and science, and Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President. Kissick expressed his belief that the Alaska Centennial Nugget deserves a place in the Smithsonian Institution, hailing it as the most significant gold nugget ever discovered.
A stunning ‘frozen geyser of gold’ was discovered at the Eagle’s Nest mine in California, US, and is estimated to be worth nearly $200,000, according to a picture from Hermitage Auctions.
The auction includes two natural gold crystals uncovered in the Venezuelan rainforest during the 1980s. They are expected to sell for $300,000 (L) and $600,000 (R) each.
This unique piece of crystallised gold leaf from Mexico is estimated to be worth $150,000 and will be up for auction in Dallas, Texas on December 8th by Hermitage Auctions.
According to Kissick, the majority of gold that is mined is refined, making a one-ounce gold nugget even more rare than a five-carat diamond. This particular group of gold specimens has never been seen at auction before, making it a truly special find.
“It’s large, it’s stunning. It’s going to impress every collector, especially since it is the first of its kind ever found in Alaska,” Kissick stated. “A collection of this size and quality is not likely to come around again.”
Overall, this item is truly one-of-a-kind and is sure to attract a lot of attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike.
