1787 1/2 Db Brasher (Regular Strike)
Series: (None)
Image courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution
- PCGS #:
- 489
- Designer:
- N/A
- Edge:
- N/A
- Diameter:
- N/A
- Weight:
- N/A
- Mintage:
- N/A
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- Other
- Auction Record:
- $3,950 • MS62 • 03-07-2022 • eBay
Major Varieties
- 1787 1/2 Db Brasher
Go To Grade
Current Auctions - PCGS Graded
Current Auctions - NGC Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 1 |
| 60 or Better | |
| 65 or Better | |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-10.0 |
| 60 or Better | R-10.1 |
| 65 or Better | R-10.1 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | N/A |
| 60 or Better | N/A |
| 65 or Better | N/A |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | N/A |
| 60 or Better | N/A |
| 65 or Better | N/A |
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 AU55 estimated grade
13.2 grams (per Breen)
David Proskey - F.C.C. Boyd Collection - Col. E.H. Green Collection - Frank Smith - Major Ball Collection - Stack’s, offered in the February 1946 issue of The Numismatist as Raw Uncirculated for $10,000 - Josiah K. Lilly Collection - National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution
|
David Hall:
The Brasher gold doubloon is one of the most famous United States coin rarities. There is also a Brasher gold half doubloon. It is unique and is in the Smithsonian.
P. Scott Rubin:
The 1787 Brasher Half Doubloon is one of two unique gold coins created by eighteenth century goldsmith Ephraim Brasher. In late 2011 the Brasher Doubloon with the “EB” punch on the breast of the eagle rather than the wing, the other unique variety, sold for over seven million dollars in a private sale. The Half Doubloon which like the more common variety has the “EB” punch on the wing. It is funny to use the word common in any discussion of the gold coinage of Ephraim Brasher. There are only eight New York Style Brasher Gold pieces known, the two unique pieces and six Doubloon size with the punch on wing.
The Brasher Half Doubloon is stuck from the same dies as the New York Style Brasher Doubloon but on a planchet that weighs half as much as the full Doubloon. The weight of the Doubloons range from a high of 26.66 grams to a low of 26.36, while the unique Half Doubloon weight is 13.2 grams. It seems that Brasher was intent on making these earliest of American gold pieces usable in commerce and the thought of multiple denomination is proved by this unique coin.
The only reason the Half Doubloon is not talked about as one of the most expensive coins ever sold is because it has never been sold at public auction and was last privately sold in the 1950’s. In all probability this coin will never again be offered for sale since it is now in the collection of the Smithsonian, part of the collection of Josiah K. Lilly collection that it acquired in the 1960’s.
The Brasher Half Doubloon was not known until 1928, some 140 years after its date of issue and its pedigree is as follows: David Proskey, F.C.C. Boyd, Col. E.H.R. Green, Frank Smith, Major Ball, Josiah K. Lilly, Smithsonian Institution.
The Brasher Half Doubloon is stuck from the same dies as the New York Style Brasher Doubloon but on a planchet that weighs half as much as the full Doubloon. The weight of the Doubloons range from a high of 26.66 grams to a low of 26.36, while the unique Half Doubloon weight is 13.2 grams. It seems that Brasher was intent on making these earliest of American gold pieces usable in commerce and the thought of multiple denomination is proved by this unique coin.
The only reason the Half Doubloon is not talked about as one of the most expensive coins ever sold is because it has never been sold at public auction and was last privately sold in the 1950’s. In all probability this coin will never again be offered for sale since it is now in the collection of the Smithsonian, part of the collection of Josiah K. Lilly collection that it acquired in the 1960’s.
The Brasher Half Doubloon was not known until 1928, some 140 years after its date of issue and its pedigree is as follows: David Proskey, F.C.C. Boyd, Col. E.H.R. Green, Frank Smith, Major Ball, Josiah K. Lilly, Smithsonian Institution.
Ron Guth:
Unique!