Check it out here.....http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ap-exclusive-rare-1787-gold-coin-fetches-74m-15135747
Wow! The first time I heard of a Brasher Doubloon was about 20 or more years ago when one was apparently found by someone metal detecting in a old park in New Orleans. I have no idea if it was authenticated or not but it did make the cover of treasure magazines.
I would doubt it, but its possible. These were the original "1804 dollars" or 1933 double eagles. For most of US coin collecting history these were the most valuable, most desired coins possible. Its not surprising that this example sold for this sum, in many ways its a more overall desirable coin than the 33 double eagle. I know if I had to own just one US coin, it would be this one, especially the examples with the US punched on the breast versus the wing. Chris
I don't either. Like I said, for decades since the start of collecting in the US this was "THE COIN" and anyone owning one had bragging rights as having one of the best collections in the US. As such, these have been copied for well over a century. Some copies were even done in pure gold. I have a copy done in pure silver that was probably made 100 years ago or more. If I had a guess, the last of these were probably known to numismatists as late as 1870. Its always possibly Ikandiggit, so thats why I said it would be possible, but I do not remember a news story in the coin press about it. The popular press runs stories like this often, before a coin is verified. I recall many similar stories, like ancient jewish coins being found in KY and the like. If you follow up, most of these end up being fakes that someone discarded. Chris
A film was made about the coin in 1947, called "The Brasher Doubloon". It was based on a crime novel "The High Window" by Raymond Chandler. The book noted that one sold in 1942 for $10,000, and at that time no one knew how many were in existence.
Although a cool coin, there is many other coins I would prefer to spend that much money on then this.
Well sir you might be a bit biased towards ancients. You are right, I would be hard pressed between this coin and an Eide Mar, or an Octodrachm. Of all of the US coins, though, this one is right up there with me as having historical importance and not being a mint fabrication. To me, my US dream set would be a silver center cent, 1794 dollar, the first half disme, Chain AMERI. cent, and this coin. Maybe a NE coin as well.
I got a kick out of the prototypical smart alec internet chat board comment at the bottom: "They would have been better off just buy bullion. Only up 174%? Gold was $455 near it's peak in 2003. Bad investment." I'm going to go waaay out on a limb and guess that the individual who posted that comment probably wasn't in a postion to invest $3 million in 2003.
