Unrivaled scale
At 383.10 troy ounces, or 26.2 pounds (11.9 kilograms) and 98% pure gold, the Boot of Cortez is classified as the largest surviving natural gold nugget ever found in the Western Hemisphere.
EJ’s Auction & Appraisal proudly presents
The Boot of Cortez
Private Auction Offering
The largest surviving natural gold nugget found in the Western Hemisphere. Friday, June 12th at 1 PM. Opening bid $1 million USD.
Register to Bid
Register to bid by June 9
383.10 troy oz · 26.2 lb · 11.9 kg · 98% pure gold · discovered 1989, sonora, mexico · unseen by the public for nearly two decades
383.10
troy ounces
26.2 lb · 11.9 kg
98%
pure gold
1989
discovered
$1M USD
opening bid
Catalog
The story
Among the rarest natural gold formations ever discovered, the Boot of Cortez stands as a singular geological and historical artifact — an object of both scientific significance and enduring fascination. 383.10 troy ounces, or 26.2 pounds (11.9 kilograms), 98% pure, shaped like a conquistador’s boot and measuring 10¾ in. (27.3 cm) tall × 7¼ in. (18.4 cm) wide. Recovered in 1989 by a prospector working with a metal detector near Caborca, Sonora, it has since become one of the most celebrated mineral finds of the modern era.
Continue to the catalog entryInstitutional record
Provenance and exhibition
- Exhibited at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
- Achieved over $1.3 million at auction in January 2008 before entering a distinguished private collection.
- Held privately for nearly two decades — unseen by the public until now.
Context
Why it matters
Singular form
Natural fracture, wear, and deposition shaped a silhouette that recalls a conquistador's boot — 10¾ in. (27.3 cm) tall × 7¼ in. (18.4 cm) wide — preserved in pristine, original condition.
Rarely offered
Fewer than a handful of natural gold specimens of this scale, integrity, and visual distinction are known to exist. Held privately for nearly two decades.
Calendar
Auction details preview
Date and time
Friday, June 12th at 1 PM
Live in Glendale, Arizona, with remote participation extended to pre-qualified bidders.
Opening bid
$1 million USD
A confidential reserve is in place.
Qualification
Register by June 9
Bidders must be registered before June 9. A dedicated concierge specialist coordinates each registration.
Selected exhibition history
Institutional and public presentation record
The Boot of Cortez has appeared in major public-facing contexts spanning premier mineral showcases and museum institutions.
Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®
Tucson, Arizona
Presented among world-class mineral and gem specimens during one of the most respected annual showcases in the field.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston, Texas
Exhibited as a major natural gold rarity within a leading institutional science context for public and collector audiences.
American Museum of Natural History
New York, New York
Displayed in a premier museum setting that reinforced the specimen's geological and cultural significance.
Collection
Gallery
EJ’s Auction & Appraisal · Glendale, Arizona
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