Thursday, 21st December 2006 (1449 views)

A 33.3 ounce gold nugget could be a vital part of Oregon history, claims a local dealer.

Rick Gately believes that the nugget may have be buried treasure or even used to con investors into thinking that mines held hidden riches of gold, reports the Oregonian.

The nugget measures seven inches by six inches and is estimated to worth more than $8,000 (£4,062) based on current gold prices of around $613 an ounce. However, Mr Gately is keen to understand the history of the nugget, which was discovered in an old wooden box by a local miner.

W"hen the miner first discovered the gold nugget he was unwilling to share much information," explained Mr Gately.

"These guys are very cloak and daggery about this type of thing. When I'd try to corner him on something, he'd say, 'That's all I'm saying," said the dealer.

Recent research now suggests that the gold nugget may have come from a mine in Homer, Alaska, in the early 1900s and be used to convince investors to pay over the odds for empty mines.

 

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