“The legendary Brasher Doubloon is one of the most important coins in American history because it’s the first gold coin struck for the young United States and it’s one of handful that exist,” said Todd Imhof, executive vice president of Heritage auctions. “This is a record auction price for one of these historic, early American coins.”
The first gold coin ever made in the United States, considered by some as the most important and valuable coin in the world, sold for a record $4.58 million at a Florida auction. The Brasher Doubloon was the country’s first gold coin denominated in dollars. It has been off the market since it was bought by a Chicago resident in 1979 for $430,000.
The Brasher Doubloon was minted by Ephraim Brasher in 1787, a goldsmith and neighbour of George Washington. The rare gold coin contains 26.66 grams of gold — slightly less than an ounce. It was worth about $15 dollars when it was minted, and now an ounce of gold is worth around $1,250 an ounce.
This coin has been in in pop culture as well as headline news throughout the years. It was featured in two fictional movies: The Brasher Doubloon and The High Window. When the coin was stolen in 1967 from the home of millionaire Willis duPont, the coin was recovered in an FBI sting operation and the rare coin was given some attention. All press is good press!
The Brasher Doubloon was purchased at the 2014 Florida United Numismatists (FUN) convention. It had not been for sale since Chicago collector Walter Perschke paid $430,000 for in 1979. It is 89% gold, 6% silver and 3% copper.
