Brasher returns to Big Apple

Numismatic News
Tuesday June 28, 2005

Insured for $6 million, the unique Brasher doubloon with the punchmark on the eagle’s breast is returning to New York City for the first time in more than a century.

Purchased in early 2005 by Bronx, N.Y., native and rare coin dealer Steven L. Contursi, the coin will be displayed June 30 and July 1 at the New York Invitational Coin Show at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, located at Park Avenue and 42nd at Grand Central.

Contursi is the president of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, Calif.   After buying the Brasher, Contursi sold one-third interest in the coin to numis- matic scholar Dr. Donald Kagin of Kagin’s in Tiburon, Calif.

“Being the first gold coin struck in the U.S. makes the Brasher doubloon a national treasure with tremendous sig- nificance for American history,” said Contursi.

The Brasher doubloons were struck in 1787 by George Washington’s Cherry Street area neighbor, silversmith and New York political figure, Ephraim Brasher.   This particular piece is unique because it is the only one with the designer’s initials punched on the breast of the eagle depicted on the coin.

There are a half dozen other surviving examples, but they have the initials on the eagle’s wing.

The New York Invitational Coin Show will be held June 30-July 1 in the Grand Hyatt Hotel’s Empire State Ballroom, third floor, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m.   Admission is $10 and it’s good for two days.   Children aged 16 and under are admitted free.   Half-price admission coupons are available by calling (800) 359-9430 or by visiting www.nyicoinshow.com.