Greenville, SC — A collection of rare Australian gold nuggets, including an extraordinary 4.6-ounce sponge specimen, will go under the hammer this Saturday, September 6, in Greenville, South Carolina. The auction, hosted by Richmond Auctions in partnership with Australian gold prospector and dealer Tyler Mahoney, promises to attract international collectors both in person and online.
The sale will feature 168 lots, ranging from sub-gram specimens to multi-ounce nuggets. For many bidders, the event marks a rare chance to secure natural gold pieces seldom available on the open market.
“Bullion and gold nuggets are two different worlds,” Mahoney explained during a livestream preview. “Only about 1–2% of the world’s gold production is found in nugget form, and 95% of that is under two grams. That’s why collectors pay a premium for large, unique specimens.”
Bidding Options Worldwide
According to Jordan Richmond, co-founder of Richmond Auctions, bidders can participate via pre-bidding, live online bidding, or even phone bidding. “If you’re willing to pay $1,000 for a nugget, you can set that as your max, and the system will bid on your behalf,” Richmond said. For those attending in person, the event opens at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Richmond’s Greenville headquarters, with lunch served at noon.
International collectors won’t be left out. Shipping is available worldwide, with insurance included in the price. Richmond confirmed that the gold is already located in the United States, meaning no additional import duties for American buyers. For European and other international bidders, certificates of origin may help reduce tariffs.
Spotlight on Sponge Gold
Among the highlights is Lot 110, a 4.6-ounce sponge nugget found by Mahoney’s family in Western Australia. Sponge gold, a rare form of crystalline gold, is highly delicate and rarely survives in such large size. “The biggest bit of sponge gold I’d seen before this was about 10 grams,” Mahoney said. “This piece is extraordinary—it’s the one I’d go after if I could.”
The auction also includes crystalline wire gold, quartz specimens tested by specific gravity, and several classic reef nuggets. Richmond noted that taste is often subjective: “Some collectors want pristine, shiny pieces, while others prefer natural matrix with quartz or iron. It really comes down to personal preference.”
Rising Gold Demand
The auction comes at a time when global gold prices are hitting multi-year highs due to geopolitical uncertainty. “Investors flock to gold when markets are unstable,” Mahoney said. “For miners, that’s been crucial because we’re not finding as many large nuggets as we used to. Higher prices help balance that.”
Open to All
Collectors from across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia have already registered. Richmond emphasized that the event is open to the public: “Come by, meet Tyler, watch the sale, and enjoy lunch. Even if you don’t buy, it’s a chance to see some of the rarest natural gold specimens in the world.”
The Richmond Gold Auction begins Saturday, September 6, at 10 a.m. EST. Details and registration are available at richmondauctions.com.
