OT: TG, that was surely the case when gold was $30/oz, but since domestic regulations outlawing gold sales were eliminated and the price zoomed into the 100s of $$, panning in local rivers and streams has become a very popular hobby in GA. True, there are still no commercial efforts, but that doesn't preclude the little guys making a buck, or two in the wilds. When our state house dome was re-gold-leafed back in the '80s, it was all done with Dahlonega gold...no small amount, either, I should say.
Sandy