Precious Metals To Dazzle At Heritage Auctions’ Nature & Science Auction

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Another Crystallized Gold from Serra do Caldeirão claims in Pontes e Lacerda, Mato Grosso, Brazil (estimate: $120,000-180,000) is a larger specimen from what has been called the premier source for world-class specimens. This example weighs in at an astonishing 439 grams, representing more than 14 troy ounces of high-purity Gold, and is intricately crystallized and aesthetically appealing, with an unusual number of twists and turns that add dimensionality to the museum-quality specimen that measures more than 3.8 inches long.

DALLAS, TX.- A spectacular crystallized Gold specimen from Brazil could bring $300,000 or more in Heritage Auctions’ Nature & Science Auction March 14 in Dallas, Texas. The auction includes elite Gold in both nugget and crystallized form, as well as Platinum, Silver and Copper, some of which includes Turquoise from prime source regions ranging from Australia to Brazil.

“This sale features an extraordinary collection of precious metals,” Heritage Auctions Nature & Science Director Craig Kissick said. “It has been theorized that all of the Gold ever mined on Earth would fit into a cube measuring 20 meters on each edge, making even one-ounce gold specimens rare collectibles.”

A Crystallized Gold from Serra do Caldeirão claims in Pontes e Lacerda, Mato Grosso, Brazil (estimate: $200,000-300,000) is an exceptional specimen featuring sharply crystallized, three-dimensional shapes that are considered extremely rare for Gold. While Gold mining takes place all over the world, crystallized specimens like the offered lot occur in just a few select locations. Maybe 1 in 1,000 mines produces such incredible forms of crystallized Gold, and this rare mass weighing 379 grams with incredible aesthetics makes this specimen truly remarkable. The specimen represents more than 12 troy ounces of high-purity Gold and measures more 3-1/2 inches long.

Another Crystallized Gold from Serra do Caldeirão claims in Pontes e Lacerda, Mato Grosso, Brazil (estimate: $120,000-180,000) is a larger specimen from what has been called the premier source for world-class specimens. This example weighs in at an astonishing 439 grams, representing more than 14 troy ounces of high-purity Gold, and is intricately crystallized and aesthetically appealing, with an unusual number of twists and turns that add dimensionality to the museum-quality specimen that measures more than 3.8 inches long.

A massive Gold Nugget from Australia (estimate: $100,000-150,000) is as impressive in appearance as it is in sheer size. This stunning nugget weighs 43.92 troy ounces, which puts it into a rare class as far as size. The vibrant color and intricate texture make this example a world-class representation of Australian Gold. The versatile specimen shows well from all sides, with shiny faces that combine with the size to make it a museum-worthy example that represents a true investment opportunity to serious collectors.

A similar Australian Gold Nugget (estimate: $100,000-150,000) is another behemoth that weighs in at 39.55 troy ounces (for context, it estimated that fewer than 700 Gold nuggets anywhere weigh more than 25 troy ounces, and fewer than 300 that eclipse 50 troy ounces). In addition to its pure size, this exceptional nugget offers brilliant golden-yellow coloration, significant purity and an extraordinary form replete with cavities and indentations. Because of the size and aesthetics of this dense, heavy standout, which measures 3.24 inches in length, it is recognized as a museum-quality specimen around which a premier collection can be built.

Like Gold, Platinum is extremely rare in nugget form, making this Platinum Nugget from the Isovsky District in Russia’s Middle Ural Mountains (estimate: $80,000-120,000) an exceptional prize for collectors who know that nuggets of this size – it measures 2.65 inches and weighs 18.23 troy ounces, making it one of the largest in existence – are extraordinarily rare. One of the largest that may be privately owned, this nugget features both smooth and textural surfaces, as well as a sculptural artistic form. The extraordinary combination of size, shape and rarity make this a singular offering, dominated by silver color with black highlights that add contrast to the irregular exterior.

Other top lots include, but are not limited to:

• Crystallized Gold Eagle’s Nest Mine (Mystery Wind Mine) Placer Co., California (estimate: $80,000-120,000)

• Gold Nugget, Victoria, Australia (estimate: $40,000-60,000)

• Native Wire Silver with Acanthite Freiberg, Mittelsachsen, Saxony, Germany (estimate: $30,000-50,000)

• Crystallized Gold on Quartz Red Bank Mine Mother Lode Belt, Mariposa County, California (estimate: $30,000-50,000)

• Native Copper Chengmenshan Mine, Jiujiang Co., Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China (estimate: $25,000-35,000)

• Gold Nugget, Australia (estimate: $25,000-35,000)

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