Treasure Hunting Minnesota

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GOLD

Gold was first discovered in Minnesota in 1865, but commercially viable placer gold quantities have since eluded explorers.  Gold has been found in numerous creeks and rivers throughout the state from glacial deposition, but the most significant discoveries were made in the Zumbro River between Rochester and Mazeppa and along other watercourses in Filmore and Scott Counties.  

Gold primarily occurs in three different geologic settings in Minnesota: 
1.) bedrock, 2.) sediments eroded from bedrock by glaciation, and 3.) in stream gravels.  Look for streams with sufficient vertical drop and water flow to separate and concentrate placer gold.

Placer Deposits

     A placer deposit is a concentration of a natural material that has accumulated in unconsolidated sediments of a stream bed, beach, or residual deposit.  Gold derived by weathering or other process from lode deposits is likely to accumulate in placer deposits because of its weight and resistance to corrosion.  In addition, its characteristically sun-yellow color makes it easily and quickly recognizable even in very small quantities.

     The gold pan or miner's pan is a shallow sheet-iron vessel with sloping sides and flat bottom used to wash gold-bearing gravel or other material containing heavy minerals. The process of washing material in a pan, referred to as "panning," is the simplest, most commonly used, and least expensive method for a prospector to separate gold from the silt, sand, and gravel of the stream deposits.  It is a tedious, back-breaking job and only with practice does one become proficient in the operation. Thankfully, technology finally caught up with our gold fever and brought us metal detectors!

As always, ask for permission before detecting / panning on private property.  However, the Superior and Chippewa National Forest may allow recreational gold prospecting along many streams which show good potential.  Contact district rangers for more info.

RELICS, COINS, & JEWELRY

Minnesota offers a rich history from its early fur trapping days to present.  Whether you're interested in military relics or silver coins, you're living in a great place for it all.

Here's a few ideas to get you started:

• Schools and College Campuses
• Parks / Playgrounds / Picnic Areas
• Foundations, Wells, and Cellar Holes of Old Churches or Houses
• Downtown Construction Sites
• Swimming Holes and Beaches
• Camp Grounds, Boy Scout Camps, and WPA / CCC Camps
• Sports Facilities
• Ghost Towns
• Riding Stables and Race Tracks
• Old Fair and Carnival Locations
• Old Town Dumpsites

LOST TREASURE

As in other areas of the US, there are several tales of lost treasure in Minnesota concerning caches buried for safety.  In many of these stories, people either died or forgot where they buried the stash.  Contributing factors include:   

    1.  Federal laws making possession of gold illegal in the early 1900s

    2.  Distrust of banks during the Great Depression.  

• In the woods near Wadena a group of bandits buried their loot and were killed shortly thereafter by a posse.
• In a stand of trees at Henderson, Sibley County, a treasure is still buried.

These excerpts are a sampling from American Coin Treasures and Hoards