Gold Prospecting, Treasure Hunting, Mining, Relic Hunting, and Metal Detecting in Missouri

Show-Me State

GOLD

Gold mostly occurs north of the Missouri river, but there have been some findings in the Ozarks region within the southern portion of the state. Resulting from glacial deposition, gold had been confirmed in Macon, Adair, Livingston, Linn, Putnam, Randolph, and Schuyler counties. Corn kernel sized nuggets and silver have been discovered in Sand Creek and Marray Gulch (NE of Elmer in Macon County).

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!

You can always ask for permission to hunt on any private property, but you may be able to pan and metal detect in public access areas. The most promising appears to be in the Cedar Creek District of the Mark Twain National Forest. Make sure you contact the district ranger first for regulations and restrictions.

RELICS, COINS, & JEWELRY

Missouri has a rich history of early settlements and battlefields - the perfect combination for an energetic relic hunter! Did you know that confederate buttons and belt plates command astronomical prices by collectors? See the bottom of this page for links to online maps of engagement areas during the Civil War. Otherwise, here's a few other 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, Beaches, and Natural Springs
Camp Grounds, Boy Scout Camps, WPA Camps, and Mining Camps
Sports Facilities
Ghost Towns
Rodeo Arenas, 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 Missouri 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.

Near Waynesville in Pulaski County a wealthy Forty-Niner is said to have buried $60,000 in the hills.
In the river areas near St. Louis there are said to be several coin-laden steamship wrecks.

These excerpts are a sampling from American Coin Treasures and Hoards

Back to How & Where to Find Treasure Treasurefish HOME

Information posted is from various United States Geologic Service (USGS) material and the Gold Prospectors Association of America ( GPAA) Mining Guide. The GPAA is a professional, family oriented organization that's been around for awhile and they'll treat you right. There's many more areas to find gold than what's listed above. If you are serious about finding gold, we recommend that you check out your local club to learn the proper techniques and some good spots to hunt from the pros. The only alternative is to spend a whole lot of money on gas and wasting valuable time doing your own thing. For more information, Click Here