1.20 Grams      

 We talk about pressure in the earth’s crust changing the shape of existing gold nuggets from their original form.  Here’s a real good example of that occurrence.  This piece of gold was probably shorter, and considerably thicker in the beginning of its formation.  As the earth’s crust moves, subterranean rocks are constantly shifted and compressed over time, resulting in this nugget being pinched into a long flat flake about the thickness of a potato chip, as you see pictured here...  Since gold is malleable it gives and bends rather than crushing into fine particles.  That’s how this piece of gold was finally shaped.

This nugget weighs nearly one-and a-quarter grams, so you can imagine how 

chunky it could have been at one time.  To understand this and put it into perspective, consider the fact that one ounce of gold - that’s 26 nuggets of this size, can be hammered out to a continuous sheet covering over 100 sq feet.

Here’s another interesting fact to ponder – the main building of the University of Notre Dame is covered in thin gold sheets.  It required only 8 ounces.  That Golden Dome in South Bend Indiana encompasses over 96,000 square feet.

Now, back to our main subject...

This nugget should be considered fragile.  It can easily be altered

in shape and therefore damaged.

 So, handle with care and show it with pride and caution.  It is truly a rare find.