No one is certain when gold was first discovered, but research suggests that the Egyptians stumbled upon this shiny metal around 2450 BC. Several centuries later, a similar uncertainty persists: who created the Gold Mine Nuggets Bubble Gum?

Topps introduced Gold Rush Bubble Gum in the 1970's

Although no exact dates exist, and a considerable amount of incorrect information is available on the internet, in the early 1970s, Topps, known for its baseball cards, introduced a product called Gold Rush with packaging similar to what is offered today.

In 1972, Fleer, another baseball card manufacturer that also owned Dubble Bubble, introduced a similar product called Gold Rocks.

Gold Rocks Nugget Gum was another variation!

Donruss, ironically, another baseball card manufacturer, introduced Gold Nuggets a year later.

And then these bags of chewing gum nuggets were almost worth their weight in gold as they disappeared from the shelves.

In 1994, this beloved gum was saved from extinction by Espeez Candies.

Fast-forward to 1994, and Espeez Candies manufactures now Gold Mine Nugget Bubble Gum. True to form, the packaging, complete with a burlap sack and string tie, has remained almost identical to the original, and the gum tastes as good as it did twenty-odd years ago.

"Gold Mine Gum is probably the most recognized and iconic item that we produce," said Sam Popowcer, President of Espeez Candies, who started the company in 1988 and later started branding candy in 1993. "I have grown men approach me at trade shows that have tears in their eyes when they see Gold Mine Gum. It brings back memories of childhood."

In an age where too many classic candies are ending up on the discontinued list, candy lovers should be ever grateful to brands such as Espeez, who continue the sweet tradition that started decades ago and who, to paraphrase the CandyFavorites motto, realized that "The Future of Candy is Rooted in the Past."