If it's quantity of gold nuggets and size of gold nuggets you are interested in, Rich Hill, Arizona is the place to be. High karat gold has been produced there for 100 years.
It isn't just locals who love the Rich Hill. People from all over the United States and the globe come to Rich Hill seeking to find gold flakes in their pans. You can see them also using dry washers at the bottom of gulches in arroyos or metal detecting the hills.
The area covers approximately 52 square miles. Antelope and Weaver creeks have been rich placer spots. North of Stanton all the way to Yarnell have seen their share of hot lode spots. Lodes of historical consequence include the Octave mine, Beehive Mine, and the Dixie-Rincon. Nearly all of this area is claimed due to its past and present richness. It is important to know who owns the land. It is divvied up among private and public entities. Homesteads, placer claims, and lode claims (350) pepper the area. This is why many folks join prospecting clubs- these clubs have claimed many spots and offer an easy way to partake in gold exploration.
The first prospectors, in mid nineteenth century, found gold gleaming from the surface. Stories have it that nuggets were pried from the hillside using knives.
Pauline Weaver (born Powell Weaver) led a group of prospectors in 1863 when he discovered gold.
As is usual, the notoriety of the area brought a swath of gold prospectors. Don't forget, many a California prospector headed to Arizona after the rush there subsided, or they were disappointed after being duped or unlucky. And it didn't take long for these prospectors to find gold. In 3 months, prospectors dug over $100,000 of the yellow stuff. In another 5 years, $500,000 gold had been mined. Or translated another way, miners panned more that 25,000 ounces.
Covering roughly 40 square miles, the PLACER region has a number of good gold-producing claims. The "Potato Patch" was known for the potato size nuggets unearthed.
There is still a log of mining activity in the district. Arizona desert is not the place to be in summer. Heat precludes the mining of placer in summer months. Most activity is during the winter. Still, this area produces good gold and is one of the more popular areas for recreational prospectors. Metal detecting can still yield gold nuggets, although keep your visions of potato size gold in under control!
For some really fine historical information about Stanton, Arizona and the Vega gang, see http://ghosttowns.com/states/az/stanton.html
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