It was announced yesterday that the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum collection now contains a 1792 Half Disme thanks to the generosity of Steve Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers. The early American coin, valued at more than $220,000 is a wonderful addition to the museum's collection. About 1,500 half disme silver coins were struck in the basement of a Philadelphia saw-maker’s shop in July 1792 because the U.S. Mint was not yet operational. The coins were the first authorized by President Washington under the Mint Act of 1792. Thomas Jefferson, who was Secretary of State at the time, personally received the coins on Washington’s behalf.
“This donation was very touching. We haven’t received a donation of this caliber in many years,” Museum Director Tiffanie Bueschel said.
Contursi made headlines in December when he sold the unique 1787 EB on Breast Brasher Doubloon, which subsequently was acquired for nearly $7.4 million by a Wall Street hedge fund. He also sold the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, believed by some to be the first U.S. silver dollar ever minted, for $7.8 million in a private sale in May 2010. The silver dollar was on display at the Money Museum for several years.
“I have a background of handling the sales of some of the earliest U.S. coins, so donating this historically significant coin made sense,” Contursi said. "This donation is my way of giving back to the ANA for the wonderful things that they do for collectors."
The public will get a chance to see the coin on display at the spring ANA National Money Show, May 10-12 in Denver. Find out more at www.nationalmoneyshow.com.
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“This donation was very touching. We haven’t received a donation of this caliber in many years,” Museum Director Tiffanie Bueschel said.
Contursi made headlines in December when he sold the unique 1787 EB on Breast Brasher Doubloon, which subsequently was acquired for nearly $7.4 million by a Wall Street hedge fund. He also sold the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, believed by some to be the first U.S. silver dollar ever minted, for $7.8 million in a private sale in May 2010. The silver dollar was on display at the Money Museum for several years.
“I have a background of handling the sales of some of the earliest U.S. coins, so donating this historically significant coin made sense,” Contursi said. "This donation is my way of giving back to the ANA for the wonderful things that they do for collectors."
The public will get a chance to see the coin on display at the spring ANA National Money Show, May 10-12 in Denver. Find out more at www.nationalmoneyshow.com.
Source: http://www.money.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&Template=%2FCM%2FHTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=16804
Related Articles:
http://www.numismaticnews.net/buzz/good-news-from-ana
