1787 Brasher Doubloon Value

Introduction to the 1787 Brasher Doubloon

It is a privately struck American gold coin produced in New York before the creation of the U.S. Mint. It was made by Ephraim Brasher, a respected goldsmith whose bullion work was trusted in late-18th-century commerce. Although not authorized by a federal government, the coin circulated based on its verified gold content.

Only seven confirmed specimens exist today. Each is individually documented and considered a rare piece of early American numismatics.

Year	1787
Place of issue	New York
Issuer	Ephraim Brasher (private issue)
Composition	Gold (~22K)
Weight	~26.6 g
Diameter	~29 mm
Hallmark	Oval “EB” punch
Known examples	7

Historical Background and Significance of the Brasher Doubloon

The coin was struck in 1787, when the United States had no federal mint and no uniform coinage system. Gold and silver coins from Spain, Britain, and other countries circulated alongside locally produced bullion pieces. Private goldsmiths supplied gold coins that were accepted by weight and fineness rather than legal authority.

Ephraim Brasher worked in New York City and was known for accurate assaying. In 1787, New York officials considered creating a state mint and named Brasher as a potential assayer.

1787-2014 "EB" Gold Doubloon 2014 Private Issue Commemorating Ephraim Brasher's 1787 Doubloon

Design, Composition, and Copper Varieties

The 1787 Brasher Doubloon coin image follows a consistent design across all known gold examples. The obverse shows an eagle with a shield; the reverse depicts a rising sun above mountains with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Brasher applied his oval “EB” hallmark by hand as a guarantee of gold quality; its placement differs by variety.

The coin is struck in high-purity gold, approximately 22 karats, matching Spanish doubloon standards used in international trade. Weight and diameter were chosen to align with accepted gold coins of the period.

In addition to the gold issues, a small number of copper specimens exist. These are believed to be pattern or presentation pieces, struck using the same dies but without the EB gold hallmark. The 1787 Brasher Doubloon copper pieces were never intended for circulation and are far rarer than the gold doubloons. Their exact purpose remains uncertain.

Rarity, Grades, and Collectibility

Only seven genuine examples of the 1787 Brasher Gold Doubloon are known today. That puts it in a category where:

every specimen is documented by name,
each has a traceable ownership history,
no new discoveries are realistically expected.

Surviving pieces show light planchet irregularities and surface marks typical of 18th-century gold issues. Grades vary, but condition plays a secondary role to provenance and variety.

The EB Hallmark

Ephraim Brasher personally punched “EB” into each coin to certify its gold content. That mark:

functions like an early quality guarantee,
turns the coin into a signed work,
makes it one of the earliest examples of American assayed gold.

The EB-on-wing placement is the most famous.

“The Brasher stamp of his initials “EB” (sometimes and on one doubloon in an oval) or name can be found on precious metals from early US history well beyond coins.”
— 10 Facts about the Brasher Doubloon: the most famous rare coin
Paul Fraser Collectibles

Record-Breaking Sales

The Brasher Doubloon repeatedly sets multi-million-dollar auction records. It is among the most valuable coins on Earth.

It also crossed into popular culture—in novels, museums, and even crime fiction.

Market Value and Auction Records

Date	Sale	Auction House	Variety	1787 Brasher Doubloon Value
Jan 21, 2021	Public auction	Heritage Auctions (Dallas)	EB on Wing, PCGS MS-65★	$9,360,000
Jan 21, 2021	Public auction	Heritage Auctions (Dallas)	NGC MS-61	~$2,100,000
Dec 2011	Private sale	Private transaction	EB on Breast	~$7,400,000
Jan 2005	Public auction	Heritage Auctions	EB on Breast, approx. EF45	$2,990,000
Mar 1981	Public auction	Garrett Collection Sale	Variety not specified	$625,000

Tips for Collectors and Investors

Provenance

Every known example of the 1787 Brasher Doubloon has a documented ownership history. Provenance is as important as grade and should be verified through auction records, institutional archives, and grading service documentation.

Varieties

Collectors place strong emphasis on the placement of the EB hallmark. The EB on Wing variety consistently commands a premium over other placements.

You may try to check which coin you have with the Coin ID Scanner app instead of listing Brasher Doubloon 1787 coin image pieces.

Grade

Surface marks and planchet irregularities are expected on 18th-century gold. Technical grade influences value, but rarity, variety, and historical importance carry greater weight.

Limited Market Access

Public auction appearances are rare and usually limited to major houses. Private treaty sales are common at this level. Serious buyers should maintain relationships with top auction firms and established brokers.

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