Today in Florida, there is a battle for the most valuable coin in the FUN show auction as a 1787 Brasher Doubloon takes on a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. The internet bidding has now closed. The Brasher Doubloon has a high bid of 3.6 million dollars (4.23 million with the buyer's premium) while the Liberty Head nickel has a high bid of 2.8 million dollars (3.29 million including the buyers premium).
Both coins have appeared on fictional TV or movies. The Olsen specimen of the Liberty head nickel appeared on the Hawaii five O episode, million dollar nickel, while the Doubloon starred in the detective movie entitled The Brasher Doubloon
.
.
The coins are both important, but sharply contrasting parts of numismatic history. The Brasher Doubloon as an early example of colonial coinage (the only gold coin intended to circulate) while the liberty head nickel is likely the result of minting shenanigans. The liberty head nickel is the scarcer of the two coins with only five struck. There are seven Brasher Doubloons that are accounted for.
We will wait and see how high prices go. Good luck to both coins.
We will wait and see how high prices go. Good luck to both coins.