Shown below is the only 1822 $5 gold piece I will ever own. That's OK! One is enough. I don't think I could put up with the notoriety if I had two. It's hard enough to keep the numismatic media away as it is. My specimen is in good shape but not perfect. I never even bothered to have it slabbed! That costs money, you know!

The best part of this story is the amount I paid for this rare fella! I bought it in 1995, about 35 years ago when prices were a lot lower. For that I remain, thankful. If I remember correctly I paid less than one hundred dollars for it. Of course I have been approached many times by collectors and dealers who were interested in purchasing it. Unfortunately I didn't personally know any of them. If I am going to sell this rare piece it is going to be to someone I personally know who will take good care of it, as well as I have.

Some collectors can become too protective about some of their better purchases and not even display them at a club meeting. I think they are afraid of someone else getting wind of such a desirable piece and subsequently speaking too loudly about it to folks outside of our collecting fraternity. Then, you know what could happen!

I have taken pains in scanning this trophy so you all can see it at least in the pages of this journal. Unfortunately there was not enough room on this page so it will appear just around the corner on the following page. Enjoy!

This note drawn on the Exchange Bank of Providence, R.I. clearly claims to be an 1822 five dollar gold piece! Notice the date! Notice the engraving of the half eagle! Collectors all know that half eagles were worth $5 when minted. The value as seen in the Red book for an item of this date and denomination and quality is in excess of $8,000,000,000. Look it up! Please! No calls! I think I will just keep this rarity.

For more information on the New England Numismatic Association, see:
https://www.nenacoin.org/