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Hand of Faith

The Hand of Faith is a 27.2-kilogram (60-pound) discovered by amateur prospector Kevin Hillier using a on 26 September 1980 near Kingower, , . It is recognized as the largest ever found with a . The nugget, composed of nearly pure with a of approximately 96%, was unearthed in a previously mined area during a expedition organized by Hillier and his wife. Hillier sold it for A$1 million (equivalent to about US$1 million at the time) to an buyer in , and it has since been displayed as a major attraction at the Nugget in , , where it remains encased in a secure vault for public viewing. Its discovery revived interest in modern in 's Victorian goldfields and symbolizes the enduring allure of rushes in the region.

Discovery

Finding the Nugget

On September 26, 1980, Kevin Hillier, a 39-year-old worker and amateur , discovered the Hand of Faith while exploring a bushland area near Kingower, in the Wedderburn district of , . Hillier had a vivid dream about finding a nugget with a hand-like shape about a week earlier. The site lay within the historic goldfields, a previously mined region long considered exhausted of significant alluvial deposits. Hillier was accompanied by his wife, Beryl (known as Bep), as part of a routine prospecting outing he had taken up while recovering from back ; the couple lived nearby in a caravan park at Bridgewater and often detected gold during daily walks. Using a Garrett purchased with compensation from his , Hillier scanned the ground behind the old Kingower , an area off Ironbark Dam adjacent to Kingower State Forest. The device emitted a faint signal, prompting him to dig approximately 12 inches through dense soil and tree roots, where he unearthed the intact nugget—weighing about 27 kilograms and measuring roughly 47 cm long. Hillier later recalled calling out excitedly to his upon the find, marking the moment as a life-changing whim in a spot he and Bep had prospected casually after his work shifts.

Verification and Initial Handling

Following the discovery on September 26, 1980, Kevin Hillier and his family took immediate steps to clean the nugget at their home in a converted bus at the Bridgewater Caravan Park. They soaked the dirt-encrusted find in a sink, with the children using toothbrushes to gently remove the soil, gradually revealing its distinctive hand-like shape. To authenticate the nugget's value and composition, the Hilliers transported it discreetly to a local assayer in , approximately 56 kilometers away, where it was weighed at 27.2 kilograms (equivalent to 875 ounces). The assayer confirmed it as a solid mass of fine-quality without a quartz matrix, establishing its status as an exceptionally pure specimen unearthed intact. Security was a primary concern from the outset, given the nugget's immense value and the risk of in the remote goldfields . The family initially hid it in a kiddie beneath their bed in the bus for several days, sharing the secret only among themselves to avoid drawing attention. When moving it, they wrapped it carefully and traveled inconspicuously, later entrusting it to a trusted intermediary for delivery to authorities in for further official verification. The find remained private until early October, when the Hilliers reported it to local newspapers, sparking immediate national and international media interest. This coverage included a televised press conference hosted by Victorian Premier on October 8, 1980, which amplified the story and confirmed the nugget's legitimacy to the public.

Physical Description

Dimensions and Weight

The Hand of Faith weighs 27.2 kilograms (60 pounds or 875 ounces), establishing it as the heaviest intact specimen ever discovered using a . Its approximate dimensions measure 47 centimeters in length, 20 centimeters in width, and 9 centimeters in thickness, forming an irregular shape roughly resembling a hand. The nugget's overall form is fist-like in scale but elongated, with a natural, contoured profile that evokes a clenched hand grasping smaller embedded elements. Visually, the nugget exhibits a classic golden-yellow hue characteristic of high-purity native , featuring a slightly rough surface texture with natural pitting and visible inclusions that highlight its unaltered, geological origins. It shows no significant deformities, preserving its intact structure due in part to the non-invasive method employed during its unearthing.

Composition and Formation

The Hand of Faith nugget is composed of nearly pure with a of approximately 96% (24 karat), alloyed primarily with about 4% silver and trace impurities such as or elements. Assays of similar large Victorian nuggets confirm levels around 96% . Minor secondary minerals, including iron oxides and clays, are present in internal voids but do not significantly alter the overall high content. Structurally, the nugget is polycrystalline, formed by the coalescence of smaller particles or crystals that exhibit equigranular textures and annealing twins indicative of high-temperature formation in primary deposits. Voids within the structure, created during this coalescence, were later filled with , clays, or secondary precipitates during transport and burial, contributing to its irregular, hand-like shape without notable veining typical of primary . This composition reflects a hypogene origin, where was initially deposited as alloys in hydrothermal systems, followed by enrichment that purified outer layers. Geologically, the nugget likely originated from primary orogenic gold deposits in the Paleozoic rocks of the Victorian goldfields, formed around 440-360 million years ago through faulting and fluid precipitation in quartz veins. Erosion during the era (including and periods, approximately 66-2.6 million years ago) released these particles into ancient river systems, where they were hydraulically concentrated and transported as placer deposits in Tertiary alluvial gravels. Over millions of years, the nugget was buried in shallow paleochannels near Kingower, preserving its form through minimal disturbance in unconsolidated sediments. Its intact preservation stems from shallow burial at about 30 cm (12 inches) depth in soft alluvial soil, allowing detection and recovery via without exposure to crushing forces from heavy equipment that often fragments deeper nuggets. This contrasts with many Victorian placers worked historically, where deeper leads required extensive , and highlights the role of modern in conserving such specimens.

Ownership History

Acquisition by the Finder

Under Victorian mining , all minerals, including , are owned by , but a miner's right ( ) transfers ownership of any minerals discovered during recreational on to the holder. The Hand of Faith was found on public near Kingower, and Kevin Hillier, as the discoverer holding the required , thereby acquired legal possession of the nugget. The nugget's acquisition was a joint effort between Kevin Hillier and his wife, Beryl (known as Bep), who actively assisted in detecting and excavating it from the . The couple shared early possession without any legal disputes or claims from partners, family members, or other parties, reflecting their close collaboration during the activity. Their four children were informed shortly after the discovery and became part of the family's immediate handling of the find. Following initial verification of its authenticity and weight, the nugget received an early valuation estimate of approximately AUD $690,000, calculated from 1980 gold spot prices of around AUD $820 per ounce applied to its approximately 840 troy ounces of pure gold content (derived from a total weight of 875 troy ounces at 96% fineness). Despite this monetary assessment, the Hilliers stressed the nugget's profound sentimental value, viewing it as a divine blessing that aided Kevin's recovery from a prior back injury and transformed their family's circumstances. As news of the discovery spread and publicity intensified, the Hilliers prioritized the nugget's security by storing it in a in to safeguard it from potential theft or unwanted attention during the period before its eventual sale.

Sale and Transfer to Golden Nugget

In 1981, Kevin Hillier sold the Hand of Faith gold nugget for approximately $1 million USD (equivalent to about $1.1 million AUD at the time) to the Golden Nugget Casino in , . The transaction was facilitated through an intermediary, Kovac’s Gems & Minerals, as the casino aimed to display the nugget to draw tourists to its exhibits. Negotiations were prolonged by several months due to delays from the government, which held the nugget during processing and assessment; Hillier rejected initial lower offers before finalizing the deal with the Golden Nugget. The sale required export approval from Australian authorities following a review of the nugget's cultural and national heritage significance. Following the approval, the nugget was relocated to the United States under heavy security and insured for $1 million during shipment.

Exhibition and Legacy

Display at Golden Nugget Casino

The Hand of Faith gold nugget has been on permanent display at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas since 1981, following its acquisition by the casino chain for over $1 million. It is housed in the lobby area, accessible to the public as a prominent attraction amid the bustling casino environment. The exhibit is positioned toward the rear of the casino, transitioning into the hotel section, providing a focal point separate from the main gaming floors. The nugget is presented in a secure wall-mounted display case with a glass cover, allowing visitors to view it from multiple angles without direct contact. This setup highlights its natural form and size, serving as a key draw for tourists exploring the Fremont Street Experience. Public access to the display is free and available around the clock, aligning with the casino's 24/7 operations, and it attracts gold enthusiasts, history buffs, and general sightseers passing through downtown Las Vegas. The exhibit contributes to the casino's allure, offering a tangible piece of mining history within the vibrant atmosphere of the property.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Hand of Faith nugget symbolizes the enduring legacy of Australia's 19th-century gold rushes, bridging the era of mass migrations and frontier prosperity in the with modern-day discoveries in the Victorian goldfields. Found in amid the historic Kingower region, it underscores how the allure of gold persisted well into the 20th century, long after the peak rushes that transformed into a global hub. This persistence has revitalized interest in the area's heritage, boosting tourism to sites like the discovery location near Wedderburn and encouraging visitors to explore the broader Victorian Goldfields through guided tours and historical markers. As the largest gold nugget ever discovered using a , weighing 875 ounces (27.2 kg), the Hand of Faith is the third-largest surviving intact known, behind the Pepita Canaã (60.8 kg) and the Great Triangle (36.2 kg). These distinctions highlight its rarity and the technological shift from panning to amateur in . The nugget's story has permeated , inspiring books such as The Hand of Faith Story by Bep Hillier, which chronicles the finder's personal journey and has captivated readers with its blend of adventure and serendipity. It has also appeared in various , including online videos and articles that recount its , fostering a global fascination with . This cultural resonance extends to hobbyist communities, where the Hand of Faith motivates enthusiasts to take up metal detecting and , reigniting amateur mining traditions in regions like Victoria's . In contemporary terms, the nugget exemplifies the viability of metal detecting in modern amateur , demonstrating how accessible tools can yield extraordinary results even in well-explored terrains. At 2025 prices exceeding $4,000 per ounce, its melt value surpasses $3.5 million, yet its status as an untouched relic renders it priceless in historical and collectible contexts.

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