Coin collectors rejoiced after gold struck in a Kentucky cornfield last month, literally.
More than 800 Civil War-era gold coins have been unearthed after being buried more than 150 years ago.
Part of what makes this set a rare find is that there weren’t many gold coins made during the Civil War, Bird Saylor, president of the Louisville Money Exchange, told USA Today.
It wasn’t unusual for people to bury their money in times of war to keep it safe, Saylor said, but what might make these coins sell for a premium is all the mystery surrounding their discovery.
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What does Kentucky have to do with this?
Kentucky declared its neutrality at the start of the Civil War as tensions rose between the northern and southern states.
Despite the declaration of neutrality, many families in the state were at odds with one another.
A rare coin dealer was called in to examine the coins when they were discovered.
“The significance of this find cannot be overstated, as the staggering figure of over 700 gold dollars is a virtual time capsule for Civil War era coins, including coins from the elusive Dahlonega Mint. Finding a single mint 1863 double eagle would be a significant event in numismatics. It is hard to fathom to find a group of almost brilliant examples.” A press advertisement for the currency guarantee company.
What is the great Kentucky treasure?
The coin collection dubbed the Great Kentucky Hoard consists of US gold dollars and gold Liberty coins from 1840-1863, and gold dollars make up about 95% of the collection, according to GovMint.com and the Money guarantee company.
Each coin that is part of the set has been struck with 90% gold at mints in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, New Orleans, or Carson City.
- US Gold Dollars from 1854-1862.
- Gold Liberty’s $10 (20) from 1840-1862
- Gold Liberty’s 20 dollars (8) from 1857 and 1862.
- Gold Liberty’s $20 (18) from 1863
- a few silver coins
Finding gold in the ground is the ‘craziest thing ever’
in video Posted by GovMint Coins, it sees a man digging up coins that have been lumped into the dirt, noting how unrealistic the find is.
The coins have been sent to Numismatic Guaranty for certification and grading. After removing the dirt, coin experts found that most of the set was in pristine condition, receiving a “Very Good Mint Condition” rating.
It is likely that coins that were in very good condition circulated lightly before burial, while some other coins could have been picked up at a bank and never used.
While the finder and location details will be kept confidential, the coins are available for purchase online at www GovMint.com or by phone at 888-870-6339.
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