A fortunate prospector from Australia struck gold in Central Victoria’s Golden Triangle in South Australia, uncovering a massive 4.1kg gold nugget that he fondly named “Friday’s Joy.” This anonymous individual not only found this impressive nugget but the day before, he also dug up a 9-ounce tennis ball-shaped gold nugget buried over two feet deep using Minelab’s top-of-the-line GPZ 7000 metal detector. Initially mistaking it for rubbish or an old horseshoe, the prospector’s persistence paid off when he spotted something intriguing about 12 inches beneath the surface.
The nugget, weighing 4.1kg and valued at over $250,000, has been affectionately named ‘Friday’s Joy’. As he carefully uncovered the nugget from the clay, he couldn’t believe his eyes. It wasn’t just a piece of old metal – it was a massive gold nugget, a discovery of a lifetime. After more than a decade of weekend prospecting for coins, relics, and gold, he and his friends agreed to share the profits from any significant gold finds they uncovered together.
After informing his friends and enjoying a few beers to celebrate, the next question was what to do with the valuable nugget. “It’s like catching a big fish and not knowing how to handle it! Where should we keep it? I cleaned it, wrapped it in aluminum foil, and stored it in my oven on the first night.”
Although it was a significant find, it doesn’t mean he’s going to give up his job and retire. Instead, he intends to buy a van and explore Australia whenever he can, combining his passion for metal detecting and prospecting with traveling and sightseeing.
The fortunate prospector used a detector to find the gold nugget. The nugget is now being kept in a bank vault, and a replica is being made for an upcoming auction. Minelab has estimated that the nugget will sell for over US$190,000 (A$250,000).
In a similar instance last year, another prospector in Australia found an 87-ounce gold nugget near Wedderburn, a town just under 225 km (140 miles) from Melbourne. This nugget, known as the Fair Dinkum nugget, was sold at an auction for $133,000 (A$175,000).
