A fortunate Australian prospector hit the jackpot after his metal detecting device identified the whereabouts of an impressive 87-ounce gold nugget, concealed just inches below the ground near the renowned gold-rich town of Wedderburn in Central Victoria.
The “Fair Dinkum” golden nugget holds immense value of approximately $102,000 due to its precious metal content. However, Mick Brown, a 42-year-old resident of Kerang, Australia, holds the firm belief that this nugget will fetch twice as much if it finds its way to the hands of the perfect collector.
He casually mentioned to The Age that occasionally people claim, “A truly attractive nugget of gold is worth double its actual weight in gold.”
Brown is brimming with optimism that his prized nugget will fetch a handsome sum. “This nugget possesses impeccable grooves and an impressive motion,” he confidently stated. In a region known for its historical Gold Rush, a colossal 97-ounce gold nugget was discovered last October using a metal detector in Northern California. This remarkable find was promptly sold for a substantial $400,000 to an undisclosed purchaser. True to the tradition of avid gold prospectors, Brown decided to christen his nugget “Fair Dinkum,” a charming Australian phrase signifying authenticity.
Brown, in an interview with The Age, revealed that people are amazed by the immense size of the nugget, exclaiming, “Wow, this is truly massive!” It is thanks to his wife’s encouragement that he even stumbled upon this lucky find. In Brown’s own words to The Age, he admits that he was feeling grumpy due to the challenges of quitting smoking, but his wife wisely suggested he go outside for some fresh air. Following her advice, he embarked on a 64-mile journey south to Wedderburn, a place he had previously explored in search of hidden treasures.
Brown recounted his astonishment as his metal detector emitted a resounding signal upon detecting the immense mass of gold buried beneath the earth’s surface. “The sheer magnitude of the response completely caught me off guard,” he chuckled, emphasizing the overwhelming impact it had on his hearing.
After only digging down a mere six inches, he managed to grasp onto the horn-like features of the “Authentic” nugget and extracted it from the earth. Initially, he mistook it for a massive lump of copper, but upon further inspection, he discovered that it was, in fact, made of pure gold. To commemorate this exciting find, he cracked open a beer and celebrated accordingly.
Fearful of triggering a gold rush, Brown decided against disclosing the exact location of his discovery. However, he was more than happy to show off the impressive “Authentic” nugget. He jokingly questioned, “Should I say, ‘Yeah, I found a nugget, but you’re not allowed to see it’?” He found it gratifying to be able to exhibit the nugget, as it generated excitement among others.
Brown disclosed that he intends to utilize the earnings from the sale of the nugget to purchase a spa for his wife and four daughters. Despite the substantial sum he acquired, he remains motivated to unearth an even larger nugget someday. He enthusiastically shared, “There are some massive nuggets weighing 10 kilos out there.”
Although Brown’s “Authentic” nugget is impressive in size, it pales in comparison to the largest nuggets discovered in the Australian outback. In 1981, the “Pride of Australia,” weighing a staggering 256 ounces, was found just north of Wedderburn in Mosquito Gully.
Pictures: Captured from 9NEWS, Australia.
