Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Alaska's Largest Gold Nugget Found During Ordinary Bulldozer Work
In 1998, miner Barry Clay was using a bulldozer near Ruby, Alaska.
He noticed a very heavy piece of material in the dirt he had moved.
After cleaning it, he realized it was a huge piece of natural gold mixed with quartz.
The nugget weighed about 9.14 kilograms, or a little over 20 pounds.
It was about the size of a child's head.
Officials later confirmed that it was the largest intact gold nugget found in Alaska.
Clay kept it privately for more than 20 years.
In 2021, a collector bought it at auction for $750,000 because its unusual size and rarity made it especially valuable.
Barry Clay discovered the nugget in 1998 while clearing earth near Swift Creek, Alaska.
The gold-and-quartz specimen weighed 294.10 troy ounces, or about 9.14 kilograms.
State officials verified it as Alaska's largest intact gold nugget ever found.
Named the Alaska Centennial Nugget, it was linked to the centennial of the Klondike Gold Rush.
A private collector bought it through Heritage Auctions in 2021 for $750,000.
- Who
- Miner Barry Clay discovered the nugget, and a private collector later bought it.
- What
- A 294.10-troy-ounce natural gold-and-quartz nugget was discovered and eventually sold for $750,000.
- When
- It was discovered in 1998 and sold through an auction in 2021.
- Where
- The nugget was found along Swift Creek near Ruby, Alaska, and sold through Heritage Auctions in Dallas.
- Why
- Its unusual size, intact condition, and rarity made it highly valuable to collectors.
- Discoverer
- Barry Clay
- Discovery year
- 1998
- Discovery site
- Swift Creek near Ruby, Alaska
- Weight
- 294.10 troy ounces, approximately 9.14 kilograms
- Name
- Alaska Centennial Nugget
- Auction year
- 2021
- Sale price
- $750,000