Brasher Gold Coins

About This Coin

Few names in American numismatics carry the weight of Ephraim Brasher, the New York City goldsmith and neighbor of George Washington on Cherry Street who struck gold coins in 1787 that have become the most famous pieces in early American coinage. The Brasher Doubloon has sold for millions at auction, making it one of the highest-priced coins in world numismatic history. Brasher petitioned New York's legislature for the right to coin copper pieces; when denied, he proceeded to strike coins in gold — a metal over which the state claimed no regulatory authority. His distinctive "EB" hallmark, stamped on either the eagle's breast or wing, served as his personal guarantee of weight and fineness. Beyond his own doubloons, Brasher countermarked foreign gold coins with his EB punch to certify metallic content. Brasher's proximity to Washington — both Cherry Street residents when New York served as national capital — adds historical resonance elevating these pieces into symbols of the early republic's commercial aspirations and artisan entrepreneurship.