Bar raised for good Samaritans after $50k gold nugget returned to owner

A hefty golden nugget worth $50,000 has been returned to its relieved owner by a very, very good Samaritan after going missing in Western Australia.

Dalwallinu Police said on Twitter earlier this week the nugget had been lost on the Great Northern Highway near Wubin, about 270km north of Perth.

Apparently, the ore was held in a black velvet bag but somehow fell from a moving vehicle.

However, the owner got the good news it had been recovered yesterday.

Police thanked the community for their help.

The 83-year-old owner and his wife were "very, very grateful, relieved and very happy", they said.