The owner of approximately 30 ounces of gold nuggets left an unexpectedly generous tip at the SKKY Hotel in Hillcrest last week.

Whitehorse RCMP are investigating a theft after the owner of the large quantity of gold unknowingly left the nuggets on the table after a breakfast meeting last Wednesday morning.

A short time later, the owner returned to the hotel only to find the gold missing. Police only publicized the theft on Tuesday.

The collection consists of six to eight two- to three-ounce nuggets, as well as 20 to 25 smaller pieces, approximately the size of a pinky finger nail. It was stored in a transparent blue Tupperware container.

At $1,316 an ounce, 30 ounces of gold are valued at $39,480.

A large number of people who had access to the gold have been interviewed in relation to the theft.

Police hope that whoever stole the gold will attempt to sell it and more information about the theft will be passed on to them at that time.

"The biggest thing is making the public aware that the theft occurred,” said Sgt. Don Rogers.

Richard Runyon, director of operations for the hotel, refused to comment today because of the ongoing police investigtion.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Whitehorse RCMP at 667-5555, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).