From Fort Knox to Long Beach

(Long Beach, CA) - The first west coast public appearance of the world's most valuable gold coin, the historic 1933 Double Eagle, will be at the Long Beach Coin & Collectibles Expo, June 6 - 9, 2002, in the Long Beach, California Convention Center, 100 S. Pine Ave.

An agreement between the United States Mint and the Long Beach Expo will give west coast collectors and the general public a four-day opportunity for a close up look at the legendary $20 gold coin.

"We will have a prominent display for the 1933 Double Eagle, similar to the eye-catching exhibit last year for the 1913 Liberty Head nickel. We will give this coin the honor and admiration it certainly deserves," said Ronald J. Gillio, Long Beach Expo General Chairman.

"Over the years, the Long Beach show proudly has hosted so many exceptional rarities, such as the spectacular billion dollar numismatic and philatelic displays from vaults of the U.S. Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the incredible S.S. Central America treasures, and the King of Siam proof set. But the upcoming exhibit of the '33 Double Eagle will be difficult to ever top," he stated.

Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore described it as "possibly the most valuable coin in the world," during an interview today (Tuesday, March 19) on the NBC-TV program, The Today Show. "This is one-of-a-kind, the Mona Lisa of coins," she told interviewer Matt Lauer who wore white cotton gloves as he briefly held the 1933 Double Eagle.

The coin was kept under guard at the U.S. Gold Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky for about a year, and now is held at West Point. The Long Beach display will be the coin's first and perhaps only west coast public appearance prior to its scheduled July 30 auction by Sotheby's and Stack's in New York City.

Under the terms of a January 2001 court settlement between the Mint and London, England dealer Stephen Fenton, this will be the only 1933 Double Eagle authorized for private ownership. The settlement ended five years of legal proceedings over the ownership of the coin that reportedly was earlier owned by Egypt's King Farouk.

"There are indications this is the fabled Farouk specimen that was withdrawn from Sotheby's 1954 Cairo auction of his numismatic collection. That means the coin has not appeared in a public place for nearly half a century until now," said Gillio.

"Collectors have been eagerly waiting to see the '33 Double Eagle since it was seized by the Secret Service seven years ago in New York. Now, thousands of people will have that opportunity in Long Beach in June."

Admission to the Long Beach Expo is $6 (for a four-day pass); only $3 for collectors displaying a valid membership card in any numismatic or philatelic organization. Show hours are Thursday to Saturday, June 6 - 8, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Long Beach Expo office (before June 3) at (805) 962-9939 or (June 4 - 9) at the Convention Center, (562) 436-3636; or visit the Web site at www.LongBeachShow.com.