Golden Legends Tales of Buried Treasure

Japanese and Chinese coins can have square holes in the center. Stacks of Japanese coin bundles were recently found in Japan. Lying on straw woven mats, these coins have square holes in the middle indicating where a string bound them together. Archaeologists in Maebashi, a city approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Tokyo, have discovered an enormous cache of about 100,000 coins. This significant find occurred during excavations ahead of the construction of a factory, as reported by The Asahi Shimbun. So far, only 334 coins have been examined. The oldest among them originates from China, dating back to 175 B.C., while the most recent is from A.D. 1265. The hoard comprises 1,060 bundles, each containing roughly 100 coins. The oldest coin bears the Chinese inscription "Banliang," which translates to "half ounce" and was commonly used in China about 2,200 years ago, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Ethan Segal, an associate pr...

A modern dry washer much easier to use than mine. This article unveils the workings of a dry washer, an invention so simple yet brilliant that even the average reader can appreciate its ingenuity. The dry washer, reminiscent of a medieval or renaissance machine, could even be mistaken for a device of torture! The Hopper Box At the top of the machine is a hopper box, covered with a 1/4-inch screen through which dirt is thrown. Each shovelful is "classified" into material free of rocks or pebbles larger than a quarter inch. Weeds and organic matter are also filtered out. I always examine the rocks that fall off after each shovel full to ensure I haven't missed a colossal gold nugget. Despite classifying tons of material over the years, I've yet to find such a nugget, though I still dream about it! Many people use metal detectors to scan the rocks that pile up in front of the machine, adding real meaning to the phrase "gold is precious." There is a sheet metal ...

  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...