Taken to a Pawn Shop, the 1907 Saint-Gaudens Coin Surprised Experts with Its Historical Value and Pristine Condition.
In a remarkable episode of the series “Pawn Stars,” aired on the History channel, a 20-dollar gold Saint-Gaudens coin caught the attention of the experts at Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas.
The item was brought in by a customer who wanted to know its true value, having belonged to their family for generations.
The episode is from the second season and quickly became one of the most discussed by fans of the show.
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The History of the Coin
The coin, known as Double Eagle, was designed by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and is considered by many to be the most beautiful coin ever minted in the United States.
Originally produced between 1907 and 1933, it was made of solid gold and had a face value of 20 dollars, but today it is worth much more, especially in rare and well-preserved versions.
Upon examining the coin, Rick Harrison, one of the shop owners, showed immediate enthusiasm. “If it’s authentic and in good condition, we’re talking about something really valuable,” he stated.
To ensure authenticity and accurately assess the value, Rick called in a numismatic expert, who confirmed that the coin was legitimate and in excellent condition.
The expert explained that, in addition to the intrinsic value of the gold, the biggest draw of the Saint-Gaudens coin lies in its design and the history it carries.
It was created as part of President Theodore Roosevelt‘s effort to make American coins more artistic and elegant.
The result was a piece featuring the figure of Liberty on the front and an eagle in flight on the reverse, a symbol of American greatness.
The Negotiation
After the assessment, Rick made an offer to the coin’s owner. As always happens on the show, there was negotiation, with the owner trying to increase the price and Rick attempting to close the best deal possible for the shop.
The expert stated that the coin was worth around 2 thousand dollars. After negotiation, the coin was sold for 1500 dollars.
The episode stood out as one of the moments when an apparently simple object revealed a rich, artistic, and valuable story.
The presence of the Saint-Gaudens coin reinforced the series’ appeal in showing that, often, historical treasures can be hidden in old drawers and safes, awaiting rediscovery.
