Mel got to hold this chunk of gold during Alleghany's Gathering of Writers in
2003. "The Whopper" is
13.2 pounds, and contains 141 troy ounces of crystalline gold. It was
found in the Sixteen to One Mine during August of 1993. The other day
Laurie Knapp told us that her husband Glenn was drilling the hole for
the dynamite charge, and noticed what looked like gold corn flakes coming out, so they decided to check
beneath the rock face. What a beautiful discovery! Its value as a
specimen is estimated to be over $800,000.
The Original Sixteen to One Mine has been
operating on or off as gold prices rise and fall since 1896. The mine
has produced over a million ounces of gold from its highly concentrated
“pockets” of gold laden quartz. The mine is famous for its gemstone
quality ore. Unlike most hard rock districts in California, the chief
production at Alleghany has come from small but very rich pockets of
gold ore that may contain anywhere from a few hundred to over 10,000
ounces of gold. In most hard rock districts, large bodies of low to
moderate grade ore are the chief source of production in the mines,
though sometimes a few higher grade pockets may be found. The Alleghany
area is an exception to this rule and a considerable number of rich,
small ore pockets or pocket shoots have been developed in the mines
here.
You might want to enjoy Alleghany's 5th
The Annual Gold Show
coming up on June 14 & 15th.
Sixteen to One
Mine
