Why the world's largest California Gold Rush Nugget could bring $400,000

Paul Fraser Collectibles -

The 'Washington Nugget' is worth more than its weight in gold, and is a valuable piece of US history.

The largest California Gold Rush Nugget left in existence, the 100 troy ounce gold nugget discovered last year in Nevada County, California, will be sold at public auction by Holabird-Kagin Americana this March in Sacramento.

Named the "Washington Nugget" because the nugget was discovered near the famous northern Mother lode Gold Rush mining camp of Washington, California, this nearly 100 ounce monster gold nugget (and several others) were found in an unmined section of the Omega-Malakoff Tertiary Channel in February 2010, by a lucky area land-owner. 

Authenticated by geologist Fred Holabird and valued at $250,000-$400,000, the nugget is the largest, original California Gold Rush region natural nugget still in existence. This nugget will sell to the highest bidder on March 15th in Sacramento, California in Session C of the Golden West Auction. A special sneak preview of the nugget is available at this week's FUN show in Tampa, Florida.

Gold is selling for very high prices at this time, of course, but the nugget's value is increased far beyond the price of gold by weight alone but because of its history.

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