AMERICA'S Early Gold Coins

MUSEUM-LIKE TREASURES OFTEN SELL FOR RECORD PRICES

- JOHN W. DANNREUTHER

Classic American gold coins or “old tenor gold coins” (1795-1834) are the ultimate collector coins. This has been one of the most stable areas of numismatics. The demand for choice specimens has been increasing ever since I became seriously involved in coins in 1973.

The allure of gold is worldwide, as it is money. Central banks use it as a store of value, and collectors know the most valuable coins are our gold coins. The early United States gold coins in high-grade should always be in demand. They often are the highlight of collections. I believe they will continue to rise in value, as more collectors enter the marketplace.

One can tell when a particular series is undervalued, as they disappear from dealer inventories. In the last few years, the number of choice, high-grade early gold coins has almost vanished from the marketplace. There is nowhere to go but up for prices, as those who hold these coins seldom sell them. They are numismatic treasures that will continue to appreciate.

WRITING THE BOOK

In 2005, when David Calhoun of the Harry Bass Foundation asked me to write a book on early United States gold coins based on Mr. Bass’s notes, I immediately accepted.

The late Harry Bass, Jr. assembled a landmark, historic collection of early U.S. gold coins. He also ran an oil company, invested in a ski resort and had an interest in computer science. The Harry Bass Foundation preserves his legacy through philanthropy. In May 2023, the foundation gave a gift of $40 million to the University of Texas at Dallas.