Rare 400 Cent American Coin Sells For $2.5 Million USD
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When the Los Angeles branch of Bonhams Auctioneers placed a rare $4USD gold coin up for bidding they knew they had something special. However even the experts were stunned when on September 23rd, 2013, instead of the expected $1.5 million USD, the coin fetched $2.75 million USD, placing it amongst the 10 most valuable US coins sold at an auction.
It was of course no ordinary gold coin but one that collectors call a 'white whale' - Coins so rare that they come on the market maybe once or twice every decade. This particular one, part of a 27 precious coin collection known as "Tacasyl Collection of Magnificent United States Proof Gold Coins", was an 1880 Coiled Hair Stella, only 10-15 of which are known to exist. Given that most are already in private collections or public institutions, the chances of one coming to market are extremely slim.
While that makes it rare and precious enough, this specimen made of six grams of pure gold is particularly so, because it has never been in circulation prior to this, and is so well-made and in such pristine condition, that it was graded Cameo PF-67, which is the best rating that Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, an independent coin evaluation company gives.
Designed by famous United States Mint engraver, George T. Morgan, the Coiled Hair Stella coin was one of two coins created in response to a proposed initiative that the United States introduce an international coin to trade with Europe.Though Congress ended up rejecting the proposal, about 15 of the Coiled Hair Stella coins were still minted.
Featuring an intricately carved Lady Liberty facing to her right with her hair coiled on the top of her head on the front, and an inscription that reads "ONE STELLA" and "400 CENTS" on the back, it was one of three Stella coins that were sold at the auction. The others however did not bid for as much, because the designs were slightly different and the coins, not as well-preserved.
While this gold coin is in the top ten it certainly is far from the most expensive one ever sold. That credit goes to a 1794 silver dollar called The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, that fetched a whopping $17.2 million USD in January 2013!
Resources: foxnews.com, news.yahoo.com
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381 Comments
- emeraldcactusabout 10 yearsme too i would make a coin collection gracek
gracekabout 10 yearsif i could make any coin collection i would make it have famouse singers on them- gracekabout 10 yearsif i could make any coin collection i would make it of greek gods because i am learning about there myths
shivpabout 10 yearsIf I were a Mint engraver today I would make a coins worth 9.9million dollars because I can go around the world to give poor people some money to live a good life, help kids with no parents and keep some for my self.
alliesmabout 10 yearsI would make a collection of coins that has a engraved picture of a famous author because it takes them a long time to write, publish, and make copies and they should be able to get some respect for all the hard work they do every day for a living.
derekpabout 10 yearsThe coin I will make will be my face because it will be all about me and it will make history in the future because I want to be a very good doctor and engineer, but before I will do that I will make my 1st. billion coins for sale only in CHRISTMAS inside a present and I will give them to the the best people I know in the world!
jenniferrabout 10 yearsi would make it out of pure diamond and engrave a star on the back and name it Ju-Ju
nickyvabout 10 yearsi would make a coins with a picture of all the Quarter Backs in the NFL because they work so hard and some time they get hurt.the coin would be $100
maccabout 10 yearsIf I was a mint engraver in year one I would engrave a $9999999999 million dollar coin,that today would currently cost more than 5000 times the regular cost! The reason I made that coin is because i know Im not going to live forever,and I wanted to leave a huge legacy,and give it to my son so he can sell it and have enough money for his retirement.
elleeiabout 10 yearsI would make a coin with a picture of a cheetah with its individual, bold prints. I like this animal because it can run fast and I also like to run. Its a picture of beauty and it is elegant. I think that cheetahs should be on a gold coin so people would appreciate them and not hunt and kill them. They are my favourite animal. Each coin would be worth $90.
katepaabout 10 yearsme too! i think that instead of just making a cheetah coin you could make a big cat collection with cheetahs,tigers,lions e.t.c you could make a lot of money off of selling coins with majestic big cats on them...
