Chew on this: a $4000 wad of gum

As someone who used to regularly put an entire 5-piece pack of HubbaBubba in his mouth, I'm in awe of this 7-pounder.

It's called Kauri Gum, a fossilized resin from the Kauri tree once found in sheep-like abundance in New Zealand, and used for all sorts of things from, yes, actual chewing gum to furniture varnish. (It was big in the late 1800's, so take your tongue off the coffee table!) There was even a name for people who dug up gum like this. Surprise! Gum-Diggers.

This "gem" was unearthed by Andrew Silby in his mum's (see how I used the colloquial term?) garden. He wants to sell it. Me? I'm thinking pull a Lebowski and go bowling.