FORBIDDEN GOLD

In South Africa one is not allowed to hold nor transport rough gold.

It was a professional anecdote circulating in South Africa during the 60-80th:

It was saying that should one kill a person in the middle of the town square with many witnesses around, a good lawyer could debate and get a ‘non guilty’ verdict.

But when one was caught with one ounce or even less of rough gold or  diamonds, one would go to jail.

By mid 70th’s my corporation, Gemcraft in Johannesburg was commissioned by the mighty Anglo American Corporation to slice and polish several slabs of gold bearing rock, as originally mined in the deep gold mines of Witwatersrand (Johannesburg area).

A van arrived at our factory with two policemen and two security guards from the mining division. They brought to us several slabs of gold bearing ore.

We had to weigh and measure each one of them and sign a very detailed receipt.

We did the job and, in consideration for our activity, we were allowed to keep two slabs of gold bearing ore.

We polished one and left the other “as it was”.

I am not aware of any similar such specimens being available elsewhere.

Right now, being based in South Western Florida and after many years of enjoying seeing them on my desk, I have decided to sell.

I have placed a value of $2,000 each or both, together, for $3.500.-

The above prices are not entirely related to the present high value of gold.

There is gold in them slabs but I am sure that the buyer will not consider crushing them and then try to extract the gold therein.

Any comments are most welcome.