‘Dinosaur’ Gold Nugget
Click to enlarge image
'Dinosaur' Gold nugget. Ovens River, Myrtleford, Victoria, Australia. Dimensions: 7.6 x 9.2 x 1.5 cm. Registered 1980, D.46594.
Image: John Fields
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
This gold nugget, worn smooth by the action of water, has an uncanny resemblance to a prehistoric reptile, and has been called the ‘Dinosaur’ gold nugget. It weighs 19.5 ounces (553 g).
A chance finding
It was found in an interesting way. A diver was inspecting the gravelly bed of the Ovens River near Myrtleford, Victoria, and noticed a slight metallic glint among the river gravel. He reached down and placed a finger under a projecting hook-like feature and pulled out the nugget, which was embedded vertically in the gravel.
Specimen details
Origin
Ovens River, Myrtleford, Victoria, Australia
Size
7.6 x 9.2 x 1.5cm
Date
Registered 1980
Collection number
D.46594.
How it became part of the AM Mineralogy Collection
The finder offered the specimen to the Australian Museum and it was purchased for the mineral collection.
