In a recent auction held by Hermitage Auctions in Dallas, TX, the Alaska Centennial Gold Nugget, discovered by prospector Barry Clay in 1998, was put up for sale for $1 million. Weighing an impressive 21lbs, it is the second largest gold nugget ever found in the Western Hemisphere. This rare find, which is predominantly gold and about the size of a child’s head, has garnered significant interest from potential buyers looking to own a piece of history.
A century after the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, an incredible discovery was made by a man operating a bulldozer near the Swift Creek Mine in Alaska. This find was later named the ‘Alaska Centennial’ nugget. After unearthing the nugget, Clay understood its immense value and opted to hide it beneath an Alaskan tree while he figured out what to do next. Eventually, he sought out experts who verified the nugget as the second largest ever found in the Western Hemisphere, and the biggest in Alaska. It closely trails behind the ‘Boot of Cortez’ nugget discovered in Mexico in 1989, weighing a whopping 24lbs. The current owner, who obtained the nugget from Clay more than two decades ago, is now putting it up for sale through Heritage Auctions in Dallas along with several other prized possessions.
In 1998, gold miner Barry Clay struck gold on Swift Creek in Alaska when he unearthed the impressive Alaska Centennial Nugget. Weighing a whopping 21lbs and measuring 6.75ins by 5.75ins, this nugget holds the title of the largest gold nugget discovered in Alaska, second only to the ‘Boot of Cortez’ nugget found in Mexico.
Craig Kissick and Joe Maddalena from Heritage Auctions recently displayed a stunning gold nugget up for auction on December 8th. The nugget, held by Maddalena in the photo, was unearthed by prospector Barry Clay in Swift Creek, Alaska in 1998 – a century after the famous 1896 Klondike Gold Rush. Clay stumbled upon the nugget while using his bulldozer to move dirt near the Swift Creek Mine. The initial interest in mining in the area was ignited by Skookum Jim Mason’s gold discovery near the Klondike river in the Yukon region of Northwestern Canada in 1896.
The upcoming gold, gems, and fine minerals auction in Dallas, Texas, by Hermitage Auctions will feature the highlight piece, the Alaska Centennial Gold Nugget. Expected to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars on December 8th, this rare nugget is one of fewer than 50 weighing over 15lbs known to exist. These nuggets are formed when gold is weathered from its original rock, carried by waterways, and deposited with sediment, making them a highly prized find. The Alaska Centennial Nugget, discovered in 1998 by Barry Clay near Ruby, Alaska, remains one of the largest examples of its kind, cementing its place in gold rush history.
The Alaska Centennial Nugget, previously owned by a private collector, is now up for grabs at the Heritage auction in Dallas, offering a unique opportunity for collectors. In addition to this famous gold nugget, the auction will also feature rare crystals, artefacts, and even ‘gold geysers’. Among the highlights are two native gold crystals from the Venezuelan jungle expected to sell for up to $600,000 each, as well as a ‘frozen geyser of gold’ from the Eagle’s Nest mine in California valued at nearly $200,000. The Heritage Auction house, established in 1976 in Dallas, is renowned for its wide range of items including precious metals, rare coins, comic books, and sports memorabilia. The auction, set for December 8, was previewed by Craig Kissick and Joe Maddalena on YouTube, with Kissick describing the Alaska Centennial Nugget as a historic find deserving of a place in the Smithsonian Institution.
A stunning ‘frozen geyser of gold’ discovered at the Eagle’s Nest mine in California has been appraised at nearly $200,000, according to a picture from Hermitage Auctions.
The auction includes two indigenous gold crystals found in the Venezuelan rainforest in the 1980s, expected to be sold for $300,000 (L) and $600,000 (R) each.
This exquisite gold leaf, believed to have originated from Mexico, is estimated to be worth $150,000. It will be up for sale on December 8 in Dallas, Texas through Hermitage Auctions.
Kissick elaborated that most of the gold that is extracted is refined. He mentioned that a one-ounce gold nugget is even more uncommon than a five-carat diamond. He also highlighted that a unique collection of gold specimens like this has never before been showcased at an auction.
In awe, Kissick emphasized the remarkable size and beauty of the gold leaf. He expressed his admiration for this momentous find, which is considered to be the most significant discovery in Alaska. He concluded by stating that a collection of this magnitude and quality may never grace the auction block again.
