a coin a private citizen struck to prove new money could shine as bright as old.
means a gold coin privately minted by ephraim brasher in 1787 new york, now one of the rarest and most valuable american coins ever made.
from before the u.s. mint existed, states and private goldsmiths made their own coins to fill the currency gap after independence. ephraim brasher, a wealthy new york silversmith and neighbor of george washington, struck a small batch of gold doubloons stamped with his initials eb, betting his reputation on their weight and purity.
eb on wing specimen — sold for 9.36 million dollars at heritage auctions, 2021
garrett collection doubloon — once owned by legendary collector t. harrison garrett
the brasher doubloon novel — raymond chandler named a 1947 philip marlowe film after it