California Gold Rush Mining Pan

Origin
The California Gold Rush occurred from 1848-1855 when large deposits of gold were discovered in the then territory of California. The prospects of easy and plentiful wealth attracted many people from across the country and abroad to mine. The large population influx resulted in the establishment of California as a state, while new hopefuls constantly arrived via steamship and railroad. Mining technologies proved incapable of extracting large amounts of gold, so most took to panhandling in rivers for gold flakes. Few became rich as most of their gold was used to pay for outrageously marked up supplies and services from merchants.

Effects
Holding the pan causes the user to suddenly gain a large amount of wealth. Many times the appearance of new money is explainable, such as winning the lottery, family inheritance, investments and old debts. Sometimes however the user just has currency and precious materials appear in their possession by coincidence. Nearby people will mob towards the user in an attempt to get a little of their wealth.