THE LITTLE KING COMES HOME TO THE "QUEEN CITY" FOR ANA SHOW
Back to the Famous Coins Exhibittm
The "King of Southern Gold Coins" - a tiny, 1849-C "Open Wreath" gold
dollar - is returning to Charlotte, North Carolina - the "Queen City" - for
the American Numismatic Association's (ANA) National Money Show™, March
21-23.
Produced for regular circulation nearly 155 years ago at the United
States Mint's first branch in Charlotte, this $500,000 coin has a past
shrouded in mystery. Only four examples of these 1/2-inch gold coins are
known to exist, and none were discovered until the late 1920s or early '30s
- the last in 1978.
The little gold coin will be exhibited at the ANA show by New
Orleans-based rare coin dealer Blanchard and Company for its owners, who
wish to remain anonymous.
The roots of the King of Southern Gold Coins can be traced back to North
Carolina's gold rush in the 1820s, the development of the Charlotte Mint in
1837 and the discovery of gold in California in 1849. The last event spurred
creation of two new gold coins - $1 and $20 - which proved to be the lowest
and highest denominations issued by the U.S. Mint for regular circulation.
The Charlotte Mint issued its now rare $1 gold pieces - the smallest of
American coins - the first year they were authorized by Congress. However,
no records exist that shed any light on why only four of that mint's
open-wreath gold dollars remain today.
"The story about this coin may be lost to the past, but for us it is a
wonderful piece of history returning home," says Jerry Sajbel of Charlotte,
who is the general chairman of the ANA National Money Show. "This is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this and other great rarities that
represent the history of this city and state."
This "King of Southern Gold Coins" will join an assortment of other
historic Charlotte gold pieces, valued at more than $250,000, displayed by
Douglas Winter Numismatics of Dallas, Texas. Author of the reference book
Charlotte Mint Gold Coins: 1838-1861, Winter is a consultant to the Mint
Museum of Art, which once housed the city's coin production facility.
Thousands of collectors and hundreds of rare coin dealers from across the
nation will attend the ANA National Money Show at the Charlotte Convention
Center. Co-hosted by the Charlotte Coin Club and North Carolina Numismatic
Association, the show (free and open to the public) will feature more than
30 hours of educational programs, a treasure hunt for school-age children, a
wide array of exhibits, and a sale by Heritage Numismatic Auctions of
Dallas.
The ANA has arranged discounted room rates at The Westin Charlotte
(866-837-4148) and Hampton Inn Charlotte Uptown (704-373-0917). To make
reservations, call the hotels directly and mention the show. (To take
advantage of the discount, reservations must be made by February 17.)
The ANA also has arranged airfare discounts on Delta Air Lines (call
Delta Meeting Network® Reservations at 800-241-6760, File No. DMN191440A)
and United Airlines (call United Meeting Specialists at 800-521-4041,
Meeting Code 510CW). Or call M&M World Travel Service at 800-426-8326.
The National Money Show at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S.
College St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,
March 21-22; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 23.
For additional information about the National Money Show, contact the ANA
Convention Department, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3279;
telephone 719-632-2646, fax 719-634-4085 or e-mail
convention@money.org; or visit the
ANA web site at www.money.org.
THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2003
CONTACT: Stephen L. Bobbitt
Telephone 719/632-2646 x113
E-mail pr@money.org |
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