First U.S. Gold Coin Sells For Millions In Ft. Lauderdale

WSVN.COM
Thursday January 13, 2005

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The first gold coin made in the U-S may be truly priceless, but it was recently bought for millions. 

The legendary Brasher Doubloon sold for nearly three (m) million dollars at a public auction in Fort Lauderdale last night. 

President of Rare Coin Wholesalers Steven Contursi and Doctor Donald Kagin together bought the gold piece.  Both are from California. 

It was hand-struck in 1787 by George Washington's New York City neighbor, gold and silversmith Ephraim Brasher.

Only ten examples survive today.  The coin Contursi and Kagin purchased is unique because it's the only one with the designer's initials punched across the breast of an eagle depicted on the coin.  The other surviving examples have the initials on the eagle's wing. 

The Brasher Doubloon was last sold in a 1981 auction for over 600-thousand dollars.

Experts believe Contursi already owns a coin that's the first silver dollar made by the United States Mint in 1794. (AP)