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The most valuable metal detector finds in history

Mojave Nugget: $400,000 ($533k/£428k today)
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Reno Chris at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mojave Nugget: $400,000 ($533k/£428k today)

The largest gold nugget discovered in California, this famous 156-ounce (4.4kg) chunk of gold was found in 1977 in the Mojave Desert by prospector Ty Paulsen using his trusty metal detector.

In October 2014, the nugget was sold for $400,000 to Margie and Robert E. Petersen, who later donated it to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. In today's money, the nugget fetched a whopping $533,000 (£428k). 

Danielle McAdam

30 January 2025

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