World’s most expensive gold coin for Dublin

THE world’s most expensive gold coin to come to
auction is going on display at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in the
Royal Hospital Kilmainham, next week.

The 1933 Double Eagle is a legend in coin collection
circles. It is possibly the most valuable half-ounce piece of gold in the world
and has inspired the passions of kings, presidents, collectors and thieves.

In 2002, a 1933 Double Eagle sold for $7.59 million US
dollars, making it the most expensive gold coin in the world to come to
auction.

The coin that will be on display in Dublin is one of
just two 1933 Double Eagles saved by the US Mint and given to the Smithsonian
Institution in 1933 as a matter of record.

This will be the first time that a 1933 Double Eagle
has been exhibited in Europe. The exhibition is part of a landmark European
tour that takes in seven countries, including Ireland. The tour has been
arranged by the Samlerhuset Group, the parent company of the Dublin Mint
Office, in conjunction with the National Museum of American History, which part
of the US Smithsonian Institution.

This is also the first time that the Smithsonian
Institution has sent an object from its collection to tour in Europe, as
opposed to lending items to institutions for display.

Nearly half a million of these $20 US dollar gold
coins were originally minted in 1933 in the midst of the Great Depression, but
only 13 are known to exist today.

The rest were melted down before they ever left the
United States Mint, sacrificed as part of a strategy to remove the country from
the gold standard and stabilise the American economy.

Only one coin is legally held in private hands, all
other known or unknown 1933 Double Eagles remain the property of the US
government. The US Secret Service pursues any of the coins that come to light
and is assiduous in taking them back into federal ownership.

Tim Banks, the director of the Dublin Mint Office,
said:

“This is an incredibly exciting event. As well as being immensely
valuable, the 1933 Double Eagle is a truly beautiful coin. We are thrilled to
bring it to Dublin and I’m sure many people will want to come and see this
piece of history.

?

Marc Pachter, the Interim Director of the National
Museum of American History, added:

“The 1933 Double Eagle is a symbol of a
shared struggle in an interdependent global economy, both in the early 20th
Century and today. We are delighted to make one of the greatest treasures of the
Smithsonian available to European audiences as part of this unprecedented
tour.

?

The 1933 Double Eagle will be displayed alongside a
collection of other notable US coins. These include the 1907 high relief $20
dollar gold coin; the Capped Bust to left $5 dollar gold coin (1807-1812) and
the Liberty gold $20 dollar coin (1849-1866), just to mention a few.

The exhibition will be open to the general public at
the Baroque Chapel, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Military Road,
Kilmainham, between 12pm and 8pm on Tuesday, March 6 and from 10am to 4pm on
Wednesday, March 7.

Admission is free.