Brasher Doubloon, United States, 1787

Brasher, Ephraim · 1787

A goldsmith named Ephraim Brasher produced this coin, known as the “Brasher Doubloon,” in New York City in 1787. At the time the United States did not have a Mint and private citizens, like Brasher, produced their own coins by melting down coins and medals made in other countries, such as Spain, and reusing the metal. This coin was likely made from gold of Spanish doubloons. Although Brasher’s coins were not official legal tender, Brasher added his initials “EB” to the surface of the coin to verify that he had tested the metal and stood behind its quality to encourage their use. The design features a sun rising over the mountains – celebrating the rising of the new nation – on the obverse, and an eagle on the reverse.