The Largest Gold Nugget Found With A Metal Detector

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I just saw the largest gold nugget found with a metal detector on a recent trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. This was an accidental find when it happened in 1980. This thing is huge!

Unearthing a Treasure: The Discovery of a Lifetime

This find has been named “The Hand of Faith.” It was discovered by Kevin and Bep Hillier in September 1980, near Wedderburn, Victoria, Australia (source – Hand of Faith | Golden Nugget Las Vegas.) This massive nugget weighed in at a whopping 875 troy ounces (27.21 kilograms) and measured about 47 centimeters (18 inches) in length. Here is a recent picture of it.

Mr. Hillier was using a metal detector in Kingower State Park in Australia. Hillier had been prospecting in the area for years, hoping to strike it rich like many before him during the gold rush era. According to this site, The Hand of Faith Gold Nugget (Official Website), 12 days earlier, he had a dream about an object that he found, and when he woke up, he sketched a shape of it on a piece of paper. He even had his neighbor sign it after he drew out the shape.

On that particular day, as he scanned the ground with his metal detector, he heard a distinct and unmistakable signal indicating the presence of metal beneath the surface. Excited by the possibility of discovering gold, Hillier began digging, unsure of what he might find.

After several hours of excavation, Hillier unearthed what would later be known as the Hand of Faith, a colossal gold nugget unlike anything he had ever seen before. The nugget was an astonishing sight, gleaming with the unmistakable luster of pure gold. What was even more uncanny is that the shape of the nugget matched the shape of his drawing he made after having his dream 12 days earlier.

Weighing in at an impressive 875 troy ounces (27.21 kilograms) and measuring about 47 centimeters (18 inches) in length, the Hand of Faith was a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. Its size and purity made it an instant legend in the world of gold prospecting.

Hillier’s remarkable find made headlines around the world, turning him into an overnight sensation and sparking renewed interest in gold prospecting. The Hand of Faith quickly became a symbol of the enduring allure of gold and the enduring spirit of adventure that drives people to seek their fortunes in the most unlikely of places.

Today, Kevin Hillier’s discovery of the Hand of Faith remains one of the most famous and celebrated moments in the history of gold prospecting, a testament to the enduring allure of the search for gold and the thrill of discovery.

You can get the Kindle Edition from Amazon of “The Hand of Faith Story” written by Bep Hillier, Kevin’s wife, about this amazing find that changed their lives – Click here.

Here is a link to a gallery of photos of “The Hand of Faith – Click here.”

From Below the Surface to Exhibit: The Journey of an Iconic Relic

Currently, the Hand of Faith is on display at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. It has become a popular attraction for visitors to the casino, drawing in crowds eager to catch a glimpse of this remarkable natural treasure. If you are interested in seeing this spectacular find, and you go to the Golden Nugget, just walk from the hotel’s registration desk toward the main casino. You will see it as you walk down the hall, it will be on the left side of the hallway coming from that direction.

It’s Worth?

As for its worth, the Hand of Faith is estimated to be worth millions of dollars due to its sheer size and purity. At the time of its discovery, its value was estimated to be around $1.1 million. The Golden Nugget casino paid Mr. Hillier that amount for it when he sold it not long after the discovery was made, (source = Hand of Faith | Golden Nugget Las Vegas.) Given fluctuations in the price of gold over the years, its current value would likely be much higher. Additionally, its status as a unique and historically significant specimen adds further value to this extraordinary find. As of today, with gold’s spot price being $2,372 per troy ounce, that would put this 875-ounce nugget around $2,075,500 currently.

Conclusion

Seeing this on display in a Las Vegas resort reminds me that people are fascinated by gold, as they have been throughout history. The value of this nugget is not just monetary; its real treasure lies in the swelling of hearts it causes with its gleam and the sparks of curiosity it ignites. If you are heading to Las Vegas sometime, I hope that you get to check out its glow someday and let your mind wander to the days of old when such a find could change one’s destiny overnight. Do yourself a favor though, try not to lose too much money at the tables and/or slots! I also recommend that you park somewhere offsite and walk to the Golden Nugget, as it costs $50 to park at their parking garage on Fridays, Saturdays and even Sundays.

Thank you for reading my article! Please feel free to share any feedback that you have on this subject.

You can find my other articles and reviews on my home page by clicking here: “Gold Exchange” (Homepage) – Best Place to Learn About Gold!

-Steve TGL

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