A rare silver coin from 1652 has made history by selling for $2.52 million at auction, breaking records for the most expensive non-gold U.S. coin struck before the founding of the U.S. Mint. This threepence coin, minted in Boston shortly after the first mint was established in the then-British colony, is an invaluable artifact of early American history.
The coin, roughly the size of a modern nickel, has a silver value of just $1.03 in today's market, but its rarity and historical significance propelled it to a record price. Auctioned by Stack's Bowers Galleries, its discovery in 2016 in an old cabinet in Amsterdam set the stage for its remarkable journey. The coin was originally found in a pasteboard box labeled "Silver token unknown/ From Quincy Family/B. Ma. Dec, 1798," with its owner unaware of its true value. After extensive research, testing, and authentication by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), its value was confirmed, leading to its unprecedented sale.
The design of the coin is marked by simplicity: on one side, the initials "NE" stand for New England, and on the other, its value is displayed in Roman numerals. Only two of these coins are known to exist, with the second held at the Massachusetts Historical Society. This particular coin was made available for private ownership, making it even more exclusive.
Minted during a brief period in 1652, the Boston Mint produced these coins as an act of defiance against British Crown authority. By creating its own currency, the Boston Mint symbolized New England's growing independence and desire to regulate its economy. These coins became rare even during their time and were sought after, especially after the American Revolution.
The sale of the coin triggered a 12-minute bidding war at the auction, with auctioneer Ben Orooji calling it a "career highlight." The final sale price exceeded presale estimates by more than three times, reflecting the coin's immense historical and collectible value.
This coin's sale follows other significant auctions of rare coins, including the 2013 sale of a 1794 silver dollar for $10 million and the 2021 sale of a 1933 "Double Eagle" coin for $18.9 million, which holds the record for the most expensive coin ever sold.
The 1652 threepence coin stands as a powerful symbol of America's early struggles for autonomy and identity. Its sale not only marks a financial milestone but also serves as a celebration of the rich and storied past that continues to shape the nation's identity today.
