In 2023, a simple janitorial shift turned into a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. Carlos Mendez, a night-shift bank janitor in Denver, uncovered a forgotten vault with the only known 1964 Peace Dollar—a coin so rare experts call it the “Mona Lisa of U.S. coins.”
After authentication by top grading experts, this legendary silver dollar sold in a private New York auction for $10.5 million, smashing records and making history. 😱
Could another example still be out there—maybe tucked away in your grandfather’s collection? Let’s find out.
🏆 Why the 1964 Peace Dollar is Worth $10 Million
1️⃣ The Last of Its Kind
- 🪙 Final U.S. silver dollar (last produced in 1935)
- ❌ Only 12 struck, 11 destroyed by the U.S. Treasury
- ✅ This survivor has full documented provenance
2️⃣ Unique Identification Marks
- ⚖️ Weight: 26.73g (slightly heavier than standard 26.49g)
- 🏛 Mintmark: Small “D” below eagle (Denver Mint prototype)
- 📝 Edge Lettering: Sharp “E PLURIBUS UNUM”
- ✨ Finish: Proof-like with visible die polish lines
3️⃣ Provenance Through History
- 1965: Found in Denver Mint vault by an auditor
- 1987: Sold privately for $250,000
- 2023: Rediscovered by Carlos Mendez, authenticated by 5 experts
- 2024: Insurance appraisal now set at $12 million
🔎 How to Identify a Genuine 1964 Peace Dollar
👉 Step 1: The Date Check
- Must display 1964 (all regular Peace Dollars are 1921–1935).
👉 Step 2: Mintmark Verification
- Look for a “D” below the eagle – only Denver prototypes exist.
👉 Step 3: Weight & Sound Test
- Slightly heavier: 26.73g
- Produces a high-pitched silver ring.
👉 Step 4: Surface Inspection
- Mirror-like fields with frosted devices
- No bag marks (uncirculated proof-style coin)
💵 Value Timeline of the 1964 Peace Dollar
| Year | Event | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Minted | $1 |
| 1965 | First Discovery | $10,000 |
| 1987 | Secret Auction | $250K |
| 2023 | Vault Find | $10.5M |
| 2024 | Insurance Appraisal | $12M |
🕵️ Where Could Another Be Hiding?
- 🏦 Old Bank Vaults – Unsearched government bags
- 🌍 European Collections – Exported coins pre-1970s
- 🔐 Safety Deposit Boxes – Forgotten family holdings
- 🪖 Military Bases – Overseas silver reserves
💬 “I almost spent it as a silver dollar at the casino!” — Carlos Mendez
🚨 What to Do If You Think You Have One
- 🧤 Handle ONLY with cotton gloves
- 📸 Photograph in natural light
- 📞 Contact PCGS/NGC for emergency authentication
- 🔒 Store in a secure bank vault immediately
- 🏛 Reach out to Heritage Auctions for private sale options
⚠️ Warning:
- FBI actively monitors all sales (Treasury-controlled artifact)
- High-quality counterfeits exist (3 seized in 2024)
🎁 Free Collector’s Tools
📥 Download: “1964 Peace Dollar Forensic Guide”
🔬 Free: Partner labs offer silver composition testing
📞 Hotline: 1-800-1964-COIN (24/7 expert help)
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