America's First Gold Coin Is Worth A Fortune Now

Gold has been a staple in the American economy almost as long as the country has existed. In fact, its rich history goes all the way back to 1786 when the first gold coin was crafted by a man named Ephraim Brasher. This particular gold coin, which is officially titled the "Brasher Doubloon," is worth quite a bit of money today. In fact, one sold in 2021 for a whopping $9.36 million dollars at auction.

Now, although the U.S. dollar was officially taken off of the gold standard in 1971 by Richard Nixon, the precious metal still holds a lot of value — especially as a way to protect you during inflation. Despite the current state of the U.S. economy, gold is still on an uptrend in price, recently surpassing the $3000 mark. However, for the person in possession of the Brasher Doubloon, the value of this gold is miles above.

When the Brasher Doubloon sold for over $9 million dollars in 2021, it officially became the most expensive gold coin in the world. Even though the coin is no longer considered legal tender, much like other relics of America's past, its historical significance plays a part in its value. The coin's creator, Ephraim Brasher, was actually George Washington's neighbor in New York City. When the state of New York denied Brasher permission to produce copper coins, he began creating his own. In the process of doing so, he ended up striking his first gold coins — which would end up being officially minted a year later.

Outside of this historical significance, the other reason for the Brasher Doubloon's high valuation can be attributed to supply and demand. Only seven of these types of gold coins still exist today — although one is considered lost. This being the case, their rarity ultimately adds a significant premium to their value.

Due, in large part, to Donald Trump's recent tariff threats, the price of gold has surged to all time highs of over $3,000 in the first few months of 2025. This is largely because the retaliatory tariffs that will likely come as a result of Trump's economic policies could pose a significant problem for the U.S. economy. As a result, many investors hope to be adequately prepared, and protected, from trade war complications.

With the stock market facing new challenges in the midst of Trump's looming trade war – and riskier assets like cryptocurrencies experiencing particularly significant downturns compared to others – many might argue that it's the perfect time to invest in gold. However, it's always best to discuss any investment decisions with your financial advisor before committing. Plus, it's best to tread carefully when it comes to attempting to predict what the future might hold for financial markets — especially considering just how many moving parts are in involved in the current economic situation.