Golden Legends Tales of Buried Treasure

  Coloma Gold Panning Adventure In August 2011, I embarked on a three-day trip outside of Arizona to celebrate my father-in-law's 90th birthday in California's Central Valley. But I wondered, what else could I do with my time there? The answer was obvious — exploring the very place where the 1848 gold rush began. James W. Marshall's discovery of gold in the Coloma-Lotus Valley while building a sawmill set off a historic event. His partner, John Sutter, also established Sutter's Fort, which later became the site of Sacramento, California's state capital. Journey Through Gold Rush Towns Traveling north, we passed through the scenic Sierra Foothills, adorned with rolling, oak-dotted hills. This picturesque region attracts history buffs and camping enthusiasts. The charming towns of Mariposa, Coulterville, Sonora, Columbia, Angels Camp, Sutter Creek, Placerville, and Coloma were once bustling hubs for 19th-century gold prospectors. A Free Spot to Pan for Gold As a gold ...

  The value of a gold bar fluctuates based on its size and the spot price of gold, which was $2,397.50 per troy ounce as of July 24.  The price of a gold bar on December 21, 2023, was $2720.16. The lowest gold price in the U.S. in December 2024 was $2590.67 per ounce, and the highest gold price was $2718.13.per ounce.   Here are some typical values for gold bars: 400-troy ounce bar : Weighs 27.4 pounds and is worth approximately $959,000. Kilobar : Weighs 32.15 troy ounces and is worth about $77,080. 100-troy ounce bar : Worth about $239,750. Physical gold can be costly to trade due to significant spreads, making it less ideal for investment. Instead, gold ETFs or investing in gold mining stocks are recommended for minimizing costs and gaining fair market value. These methods avoid the high transaction costs and security issues associated with owning physical gold bars. Key Points: Gold's Value : Depends on size and the dynamic spot price. Investment Costs : High spreads ...

 A massive gold deposit containing approximately 1,000 metric tons of high-quality ore has been discovered in central China. Valued at around $83 billion, this discovery could surpass the South Deep mine in South Africa as the largest gold reserve. The Geological Bureau of Hunan Province found 40 gold veins within 2 kilometers depth in Pingjiang County, potentially holding 300 metric tons of gold, with further reserves possible at 3 kilometers depth. Core samples reveal extraordinarily high gold content, up to 138 grams per metric ton. This discovery boosts China's already dominant position in the global gold market, driving up gold prices amid global uncertainty. Experts are divided on whether we have reached "peak gold," but the Hunan find suggests we may not have exhausted viable reserves yet. For more, see  https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/china-discovers-massive-78-billion-gold-deposit-in-hunan-province/ar-AA1v8aEJ?ocid=BingNewsSerp

The Thrill of the Hunt Discovering gold can be an exhilarating experience. Many novice prospectors often start their journey by digging near a bank at a known gold claim, hoping to strike it rich. However, after a few attempts, it becomes clear that there is more to finding gold than just digging randomly. The good news is that with a bit of knowledge and strategy, your chances of success can significantly improve. Understanding Placer Deposits Placer deposits are concentrations of heavy minerals, like gold, that have been transported and deposited by water. These deposits are classified into four main types: residual, eluvial, alluvial, and marine placers. Each type forms under different conditions, providing unique opportunities for prospectors. Residual Placers : These are formed from the weathering of primary gold sources. They are typically found near the original lode and are characterized by gold particles that have not traveled far. Eluvial Placers : These deposits result from ...

The Blue Bowl Concentrator, known for its durability due to having no moving parts, is a favorite tool among prospectors. Separating the Fines The phrase "separating the wheat from the chaff" aptly describes the challenge of gold prospecting: extracting gold from iron or black sand concentrates can be tedious. The Blue Bowl makes this process more manageable. Chester once quoted Robert Service, saying, "It isn’t the gold that I’m wanting so much as just finding the gold." This sentiment captures the essence of prospecting. Waterpower is Precious, Like Gold Water pumped into the Blue Bowl creates a swirling action that separates lighter material, allowing gold to settle at the bottom. The bowl, similar to a bundt cake pan, sits on a bucket to collect drained water and black sand. To ensure the bowl is level, I use a concrete paver and adjust as needed. A recirculating pump, powered by a 12-volt battery, can be handy in the field, particularly in dry areas. The Physic...

1. Culverts: One of my favorite places to find gold is in culverts. In case you are not familiar, a culvert is a metal tube running under the road or used to divert water. I try to select culverts that may contain placer gold by considering their location. A good spot would be a place near the mountains, especially rocky mineralized mountains containing iron oxide and quartz. Iron oxide is just rust, and it shows up in rock as reddish. Why this combination? Iron and quartz have a similar melting point. It's ironic that when looking for gold, you may also be looking for something usually considered less than worthless. Culverts typically have ripples inside, which help to slow down water. These ripples are similar to riffles on a sluice. The valleys are where heavier materials like gold will settle. To properly search a culvert, I outfit myself with a brush (in my case, a car-wash brush), a bucket, and a narrow trowel. Don't forget to bring water. And while I'm at it, be car...

 Amidst the harshness of the Great Depression, circa 1935, Travis embarked on a desperate quest in the arid expanse of the desert, searching for brass shell casings. The few pennies earned from recycling these finds would be a lifeline for his struggling mother, Clara. A gentle rain the night before had left the sandy desert floor dotted with tiny dimples. Travis relished these moments; the rain washed the dust off the brass, making it a strong juxtaposition to the sand. In one of these dimples, a greenish-blue object with a hint of brass caught his eye. Excitement surged through him as he brushed the earth away. The blue-grey stain over the cylindrical shape revealed striations of golden brass beneath. Hand-digging for about three feet, Travis uncovered what appeared to be an artillery shell, its oxidized brass unmistakable. Standing to stretch, he admired the cottonwoods lining a nearby arroyo, their leaves shimmering like coins in the sunlight. The desert, with its hidden treasu...