Man Discovers 700 Civil War Coins Buried on Kentucky Farm

A man in Kentucky stumbled upon a treasure trove on his rural farm. This recent discovery, now known as the “Great Kentucky Hoard,” consists of over 700 coins that date back to the Civil War era.

The collection includes a set of 1863 Double Eagles and several hundred US gold dollars minted between 1850 and 1862.

A handful of silver coins were also found among the remarkable haul. The authenticity and condition of these coins have been certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Company.

In a video shared by GovMint, a prominent collectible coin marketer in the United States, an unnamed man can be seen unearthing valuable treasures from the soil.

In the video, the man expresses his amazement, exclaiming, “This is the most insane thing ever! These are all $1 gold coins, $20 gold coins, $10 gold coins, and, look, I’m still diggin’ them out.” The exact location where this discovery took place has not been revealed.

Ninety-five percent of the coins found are gold dollars

GovMint reported that the majority of the discovered coins, specifically 95% of them, are gold dollars.

Additionally, the collection includes approximately 20 $10 Liberty coins minted between 1840 and 1862, as well as around eight $20 Liberty coins minted from 1857 to 1862.

Among the findings are the extremely rare 1863-P $20 Gold Liberty coins, with a total of 18 of them being unearthed. These coins are highly coveted by collectors and can potentially command a six-figure price, as reported by GovMint.

A Kentucky man got the surprise of his life while digging in his field earlier this year: a cache of over 700 coins from the American Civil War era.

The "Great Kentucky Hoard" includes hundreds of U.S. gold pieces dating between 1840 and 1863. pic.twitter.com/AwFmsogCNF

— James Hughes (@JamesHu29812484) July 10, 2023

One notable characteristic of these coins is the absence of the phrase “In God We Trust,” which was added to all gold and silver currency after the conclusion of the Civil War in 1866.

Moreover, it is estimated that a single coin without this motto could potentially fetch a six-figure sum, according to GovMint’s assessment.

Jeff Garrett, a rare coin dealer, expressed his enthusiasm for the Great Kentucky Hoard, stating that receiving inquiries about rare coin discoveries always brings him excitement.

However, he specifically highlighted the exceptional nature of the opportunity to handle the Great Kentucky Hoard as one of the standout moments in his career.

Might be the ‘result’ of the conflict in Kentucky during the Civil War

During the Civil War, Kentucky occupied a unique position as it bordered both Union and Confederate states.

In 1861, the state legislature declared neutrality in the conflict, as reported by Middle Creek National Battlefield. However, by 1862, the Union had gained significant control over Kentucky.

Experts suggest that the hoard of coins discovered in the Great Kentucky Hoard may be linked to the conflict experienced in the state during that time.

Many families found themselves divided and in opposition to one another, and it is possible that these coins could have been lost during such conflicts.