A rare Mormon gold coin from nearly two centuries ago is set to go on display for all of Utah to see.
The coin from 1849 is currently at the All About Coins shop in the Sugar House neighborhood of east Salt Lake City, but it can be seen at this weekend’s Utah Coin Show in Sandy.
Minted from the gold dust first discovered in California during the gold rush, it eventually was brought to Salt Lake City and made into coins, according to All About Coins owner Bob Campbell.
“This particular one is the finest known of the 20 or so that are still around,” Campbell said. “All the others have been melted down over the years and are lost.”
Campbell estimates the coin is worth more than a million dollars.
The Historical Significance
The Mormon gold coin not only holds immense monetary value but also carries significant historical importance. It represents an era of pioneering and economic development in the Western United States during the mid-19th century.
The Rarity and Preservation
The fact that this particular coin is considered the finest known specimen out of a limited surviving number adds to its rarity and allure. Its preservation offers a glimpse into the past and allows future generations to appreciate the craftsmanship of the time.
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