Jeff Garrett: Great Stories Make Great Coins

Shortly after finding out that I am a rare coin dealer, new acquaintances will often begin to ask about coin collecting. One of the first questions many people ask is: What are the most expensive coins?

Most are astounded when told that a gold coin made during colonial times by Ephraim Brasher sold for nearly $10 million just a couple of years ago. The 1787 Brasher Doubloon graded NGC MS 65 shattered all expectations. They usually then ask how a coin can be worth so much.

The short answer is the story. It was because of questions like this that many years ago I authored the very popular 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. The book is now in its fifth edition. For nearly every coin in the book, it is the story that makes it great! The 1787 Brasher Doubloon is a prime example. This coin is the only gold coin issue from US Colonial times and was struck by one of George Washington’s neighbors! The coin’s history traces to the very founding of our country.

1787 ‘EB’ on Wing Brasher Doubloon graded NGC MS 65★ and pedigreed to the Partrick Collection. Realized: $9.36 million Click images to enlarge

There are many, many coins in the United States series that are very rare but lack a compelling story to make them highly desirable. On the other hand, there are quite a few coins that are relatively common, but find themselves on the want list of most serious collectors. The 1907 High Relief Double Eagle is a good example. The coin was saved by the thousands and can be found in quantity at nearly every coin show. I have personally handled hundreds of examples over the years.

The 1907 High Relief Double Eagle is fervently sought after because of its great story and incredible beauty. President Teddy Roosevelt commissioned the nation’s greatest artists to redesign the Cent, 10 Dollar and 20 Dollar coinage. The United States Mint struggled mightily to bring the artistic genius of Augustus Saint-Gaudens to reality. The final result is one of the most beautiful coins ever produced.

1907 High Relief Wire Rim Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle graded NGC MS 66 Click images to enlarge.

Coins have often been referred to as “history in your hands.” Old coins were objects of value, and they were seldom discarded. Although most were melted and recoined, some managed to survive, enabling their new owners to appreciate and to better understand the society they served. Many of the most historic events in human history can be found on a nation’s coinage.

Greek gods and Roman conquerors are immortalized on some of the earliest coinage struck. Roman Emperors used coins for propaganda. One can easily trace the advance of civilization through coinage. As a matter of fact, the invention of coinage itself around 600 BC was a seminal moment in the history of the human race.

Sicily, Syracuse c. 405-370 BC (Euainetos) Silver Decadrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style Click images to enlarge.

The history of the United States is very clearly illustrated by its coinage. From the 1652 Pine Tree Shilling struck in colonial Massachusetts to the 1792 Half Disme (most of which were personally distributed by Thomas Jefferson), coins are a tangible link to the formation of our nation. The early monetary system of the United States was closely tied to this coinage. This was before paper money, and at a time when a silver dollar had a dollar’s worth of silver.

Massachusetts 1652 Small Pine Tree Shilling from NGC Coin Explorer Click images to enlarge.

What a concept! The expansion of the United States is also easily found through rare coins. With the discovery of gold in California, the Gold Dollar and Double Eagle came into being. Even today, coins play an important part in commemorating our nation’s history. Every year, several interesting commemorative coins are produced to mark important events from the past.

Interestingly, even common coins can sometimes become very desirable because of the story attached to them. Some great examples of this are the many shipwreck coins that have been found over the years. Coins from the S.S. Central America, S.S. New York, S.S. Republic and the S.S. Yankee Blade are all highly sought after. Decades later, collectors are still excited when told of the vast treasure found by Mel Fisher when he discovered the Atocha off the coast of Florida. Other great hoards that collectors clamor for include the Redfield Silver Dollars, the GSA Carson City Silver Dollars and the Wells Fargo Double Eagles.

Mexico 1713MXO J Royal Coinage 8 Escudos graded NGC MS 66 and pedigreed to the 1715 Fleet Click images to enlarge.

A coin’s pedigree can also have an important impact on its value. Many collectors would much rather own a coin that was once part of a famous collection. Early Large Cent collectors carefully study the pedigree of almost every important Large Cent offered. Coins with such illustrious pedigrees as Garrett (no relation, sadly), Clapp, Eliasberg, Ford, Pittman, Bass, etc. will always bring more than coins with little or no history. Many great collections are being formed today, and in the future, coins from these collections will undoubtedly bring a premium.

It is not difficult to understand how a compelling story can make a coin so desirable. This can be important knowledge when making a purchase decision. Remember, the value of a coin is much more than rarity and condition. Today, fantastic sums are sometimes paid for ultra-high-grade examples of relatively common coins. It is my guess that in the future, coins with a great story will be the ones that stand the test of time with collectors.

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