Wednesday, 6th August 2008 (443 views)

An historic gold coin is to be displayed in San Francisco for the general public for the first time, according to News-Antique.com.

The 1787 Brasher Doubloon was the first coin made for the US and was owned during the 19th century by a railroad magnate.

Exhibited by the Rare Coin Consultants of America (RCCA) at the San Francisco Money Show investment conference, the coin has been insured for $6.5 million.

Christopher Cipoletti from RCCA said: "Only seven Basher Doubloons of this type survive today, but the one being displayed in San Francisco is the very first gold coin made for the young United States and it's unique."

It is the only one of the coins that bears the initials of its designer Ephraim Brasher located on the breast of the eagle depicted on the coin instead of on the right wing.

The coin reached new notoriety in 1940's when is became the subject of a novel by Raymond Chandler - The High Window - which was subsequently made into a film, The Brasher Doubloon starring George Montgomery and Nancy Guild.

 

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