A BRIEFCASE OF 1794 DOLLARS

I wish I could have videotaped visits with my friend Jules Reiver of Wilmington, DE. The coin featured in Dave Wnuck's Making the Grade email newsletter #29 reminded me of a great story Jules told. I'd met him through our common interest in numismatic literature, and he invited me to his home several times when I visited Wilmington on business.

Jules was well known as an expert in early U.S. silver coin varieties, and it was not unusual for people to stop at his doorstep asking for advice. One young man he'd been introduced to came by to show Jules his first rare coin purchase - an 1804 dollar! Turns out, the young man was an heir to the duPont fortune.

But it was a different coin that triggered this story. Someone Jules didn't know contacted him asking to stop by and show him some early U.S. coins. Jules agreed, and was intrigued when a chauffeured limousine pulled up and a well-dressed man with a briefcase got out and walked up to his door.

The man said he was in charge of investing funds for a national association of funeral directors. Wanting to diversify, he'd begun buying some coins. Inside the briefcase were dozens of 1794 dollars. Although 2,000 were struck, only about 150 survive, and as a one-year type are in great demand.

Jules examined them and thought them all to be authentic. The gentleman thanked him for his time and returned to his limo. I never heard again from Jules or anyone else about this hoard. Is it still out there? Was Jules pulling my leg? I didn't think so - he was as genuine and down-to-earth as they come, and I had no reason to disbelieve him. I may be misremembering the number of coins, but it was more than just a few. If anyone has information on this group of 1794 dollars, please let us know.

To read the complete Making the Grade issue, see:
Making the Grade #29: The Single (Dream Coin) Issue (www.davewcoins.com/newsletter/making-the-grade-29-the-single-dream-coin-issue)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web