That’s one big nugget

Having an interest in gold and silver mining (and, of course, coins), I was happy to get a chance to view the 100-troy ounce Washington Nugget that was on display at the Florida United Numismatists Coin Show in Tampa this January.

Discovered last year, the nugget, which weighs nine pounds, is named after the area in California where it was found. It is considered to be the largest remaining nugget of its kind from the original California Gold Rush region.

I asked Don Kagin of Holabird-Kagin Americana, which is auctioning the nugget in March, if I could snap a shot of him with the rarity. It's estimated to sell for a cool $250,000-$400,000.

Update: It sold for $460,000.