1854 GOLD $1 DOLLAR Type Two NGC AU-55
Ex: Great Kentucky HoardMintage 783,943
Weight: 1.67 grams
Metal: 90% Gold, 10% CopperThe "Great Kentucky Hoard" is a historic discovery of over 800 U.S. Civil War-era coins—mostly gold—unearthed by a Kentucky man in his cornfield. Dated between 1840 and 1863, the cache includes rare $20 Gold Liberty coins and was likely buried around the time of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's 1863 raid, yielding over $3 million in value.
Key Details of the Discovery
Contents: The hoard consists of hundreds of U.S. gold dollar coins, approximately 40 $10 Liberty coins, and 16 $20 Liberty coins, with 18 extremely rare 1863-P $20 Gold Liberty coins.
Condition: Many coins were in high-grade or "mint" condition, with one even showing the imprint of a burlap bag it was stored in.
Significance: The find is considered one of the most important Civil War-era, "once-in-a-lifetime" treasure discoveries, with some individual coins valued at six figures.
Origin Theory: Experts, including archaeologist Ryan McNutt, believe the coins were buried for safety in June 1863 by a local resident fearing Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s raid.
Discovery Location: The exact location of the find in central-western Kentucky and the identity of the farmer who found them have not been publicly disclosed.
The hoard’s discovery highlights the profound anxiety in Kentucky, a neutral state, during the Civil War, which caused people to distrust banks and bury their wealth
