News of the Find Goes Viral
News of the discovery went viral in 2023 after coin dealer GovMint.com shared a video about the find to their YouTube channel.
Source: Wikimedia
While the man remained anonymous, someone in the video, which has since gone viral is heard identifying several gold coins before proclaiming the find is “the most insane thing ever.”
The Great Kentucky Hoard
As reported by The Guardian, the find is now being referred to as the “Great Kentucky Hoard,” a collection that offers a unique glimpse into history. Many of the coins, dating back between 1840 and 1863, bear witness to the tumultuous Civil War era.
Source: Andrev Sachov/Unsplash
According to GovMint.com, the gold coins discovered in a cornfield in the state of Kentucky include $1 gold Indian coins, $10 and $20 Liberty coins, and even 1863 gold Liberty Double Eagles, all of which are “super-rare dates that are scarce in all grades.”
1863-P $20 Gold Liberty Coins
Source: Wikimedia
Coins Certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company
Not long after their discovery, the coins were certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, which maliciously graded them.
Source: Zlaťáky.cz/Unsplash
According to GovMint, the NGC explained the coins had an “eye-popping luster” and the vast majority were graded as ‘Extremely Fine to Mint State condition”.
Relics of the Civil War
The NGC released a statement following the grading of the coins, suggesting that the gold artifacts may have been buried during the American Civil War.
Source: Wikipedia
Their theory postulates the coins were hidden sometime during the beginning of the war due to Kentucky’s neutrality. As the Bluegrass state lay directly between the Union and the Confederacy, many families were often pitted against one another due to their conflicting beliefs.
Kentucky Didn’t Remain Neutral for Long
Despite their attempts to become the Switzerland of the US during the Civil War, their neutrality attempts didn’t last long.
Source: @KlimSanguine/YouTube
After a Confederate general marched his troops into Kentucky, this violated any neutrality agreements that had previously been set in place. As a result, the state joined the Union.
The Importance of the Discovery
While the NGC and American coin expert Jeff Garrett confirmed the coins’ authenticity, they admitted there is no proof that they were buried as a result of the Civil War.
Source: Wikimedia
Nonetheless, Garret highlighted the discovery’s importance, saying, “The importance of this discovery cannot be overstated, as the stunning number of over 700 gold dollars represents a virtual time capsule of Civil War-era coinage, including coins from the elusive Dahlonega Mint.”
The Highlight of His Career
Garrett further emphasized the significance of the discovery by suggesting it was one of the greatest coin finds he had ever examined.
Source: Zlaťáky.cz/Unsplash
“While I’m always excited when someone calls asking for advice about a rare coin discovery, the opportunity to handle the Great Kentucky Hoard is one of the highlights of my career,” said Garrett.
The Rarity of the Double Eagle
Garret went on to highlight the rarity of the 1863 Double Eagle, a coin which, according to another third-party grading company, the Professional Coin Grading Service, has seen a previous example sell for over $380,000.
“Finding one mint condition 1863 Double Eagle would be an important numismatic event. Finding nearly a roll of superb examples is hard to comprehend,” he added.
Coins Put Up For Sale
Many of the coins from the farm in Kentucky have since been placed on sale at various markets and auctions. The starting price for the gold Indian coins ranges from $995 to $1,295.
Source: Wikimedia
So far as the 1863 gold Liberty Double Eagle coins are concerned, the few examples recovered from the site are expected to fetch a collective sum of over $1 million, a testament to the immense value of these historical artifacts.
Anonymous Treasure Hunters Story Goes Viral
The story of the discovery has gone viral thanks to X accounts such as “Historic Vids” sharing the video. This particular account saw the video garner over 12 million views.
Source: Cosmin Gavris/Pexels
The post, which features a clip of several of the golden coins spread out on a table, went on to attain over 65,000, showcasing the interest in the topic. For the figure who discovered the coins, he was simply in the right place at the right time.