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The 1822 Half Eagle Gold Coin

Author
Attic Capital
Published
Sun 02 Feb 2025
Episode Link
None

Delve into the captivating history of the 1822 Half Eagle gold coin, a true "Holy Grail" for numismatists and one of the world's most valuable and rarest coins. This episode unpacks the dramatic story behind this legendary Capped Bust gold piece, a time when the United States was still finding its footing. With only three examples known to exist, and only one in private hands, we explore the mystery surrounding its extreme scarcity, its journey through the hands of legendary coin collectors, and its record-breaking auction prices. Whether you're a seasoned numismatist, a new coin collector, or a history enthusiast, this deep dive into the 1822 half eagle is an essential listen, offering a glimpse into a priceless piece of American history and the allure of high-end collectibles. 

There's a few important ideas to help understand the story of the 1822 half eagle gold coin. One of the most valuable and rare coins of all-time.

It's a story about extreme rarity, 

But there’s also a few other themes that pop up over and over again, once you begin to learn all about - the 1822 half eagle gold coin. 

It’s rarity, but it’s also all about mystery, provenance, and relationships - that circle around the 1822 half eagle.

So let’s get into the main themes around this coin. How it was created, and what makes it one of the most unique and desirable coins in the world. 

So we have this 1822 half eagle coin, and there’s a few ideas that we’re going to focus on, like I said already - it’s rarity, it’s the mystery of the coin, it’s the provenance - and you’re going to find out the best of the best collectors were able to own this coin. 

And that leads me to my final idea, this coin is about relationships. For anyone who owned this coin, it’s all about the relationships, and knowing the right people - that’s really the only way to have a shot at owning this amazing coin. 

With the help of Q. David Bowers, and his amazing book on the subject titled, 'The 1822 Gold Half Eagle, Story of Rarity,' we're looking at what makes this coin one of the most valuable and epic coins of all-time.

Summary

The conversation delves into the fascinating story of the 1822 Half Eagle gold coin, exploring its rarity, the legacy of notable collectors like Virgil M. Brand, the mystery surrounding its production, and the relationships that have shaped its history. The discussion highlights the significance of provenance in coin collecting and reflects on the impact of legendary collectors and the current status of this iconic coin.

Chapters

00:00 The Rarity of the 1822 Half Eagle Coin
02:50 The Legacy of Virgil M. Brand
05:59 The Mystery Behind the Coin's Production
08:51 The Journey of the Three Known Coins
11:55 The Role of Adam Eckfeld in Coin History
15:05 The Provenance of the 1822 Half Eagle
18:09 The Impact of Legendary Collectors
20:55 The Significance of Coin Collecting
24:08 The Auction of the Eliasberg Collection
26:56 The Current Status of the 1822 Half Eagle
30:05 Reflections on Rarity and Relationships

Enjoy! 

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