The Largest Gold Nugget Ever Found In Alaska

The biggest gold nugget ever found in Alaska, weighs 294.10 troy ounces, which is equivalent to 9.14 kilograms or 20.16 pounds. This nugget was discovered near Ruby, Alaska, in 1998 by Barry Clay.

The Alaska Centennial Nugget was discovered by gold miner Barry Clay on July 9, 1998, near the Swift Creek Mine in the Ruby Mining District.

Barry Clay was engaged in placer mining along Swift Creek, an area renowned for yielding large gold nuggets. While operating his bulldozer, pushing through the dirt, something unusual caught his attention. He halted the machine, stepped out, and picked up the object. Instantly, by its heft, he recognized it as a significant gold nugget.

Initially, he buried it under a nearby tree to secure it while he contemplated his next steps. Upon bringing it to town for evaluation, it was confirmed that Clay had discovered the largest gold nugget ever found in Alaska, and the second largest in the Western Hemisphere, surpassed only by the Boot of Cortez from Mexico.

The Largest Gold Nugget Ever Found In Alaska.
Photo by Marshall Ronne, Jr.

The timing of the discovery added to its lore; it was found exactly 100 years after the Klondike Gold Rush, hence the name "Centennial." This nugget's discovery reignited interest in Alaskan gold mining, showcasing that significant finds were still possible. The nugget's purity was remarkable, with an average purity of 87.59 percent, equivalent to 21 Karat gold, highlighting its quality as well as its size. Measurements: 6.69 x 5.70 x 4.33 x inches (17.00 x 14.50 x 11.00 cm).

Many other large nuggets have been found in the Ruby Mining District as well, including numerous nuggets that weighed over a pound. Alaska has by far the most commercial mining operations compared to other states, mainly due to its miner friendly regulations in comparison to other states. Alaska has a reputation for large nuggets as well.

Gold nuggets of this size are rare, and what makes the Alaska Centennial Nugget particularly fascinating is its size, purity, and the relatively intact condition in which it was found. Typically, large nuggets can be jagged or worn down by natural processes, but this nugget retained a shape that intrigued both geologists and miners alike

Overall gold produced in Alaska is not as high as other states like California and Nevada, but if you want to find a huge gold nugget in the United States, Alaska is the best place to look.

The Largest Gold Nugget Ever Found In Alaska. Alaska Centennial Gold Nugget, Swift Creek Mine, Ruby Mining District, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, USA