You must have came in late....a guy died (Avid Collector) guy inherited not, did not care, guy was a pack rat and was tring to get rid/sell all his stuff
I would be absolutely shocked if the 1804 dollar was authentic.....there's just so many counterfeits and that coin has a legendary status.
I find it hard to believe that if you offered someone more than face for their money, that they would instead turn and cash it in for less. There is no way the guy cashed in an 1804 silver dollar for face value.
WHO knows...thats what he told me....he knew nothing about coins....maybe he did not want the hassle?
One other thing to consider - there are only 15 1804 dollars in existence. And the numismatic community knows where each and every one of them is. At the very least, that particular coin was a fake.