The coin was displayed through the courtesy of its anonymous Florida owner with the help of Louisiana dealers Paul Hollis of Mandeville and Chuck Bloomfield of Baton Rouge who arranged for the homecoming exhibition.

Prior to returning the one-of-a-kind coin to the collector who paid $1.5 million for it in 2006, Hollis took the gold piece to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal in Baton Rouge on February 17.

“I wanted the Governor to have the opportunity to see such an important Louisiana treasure in person. He loved holding the 1844-O Eagle, and seemed equally thrilled to get a small handful of the 2009 Lincoln pennies,” said Hollis who gave away a million Lincoln cents to the public in Louisiana in February to coincide with President Lincoln’s bicentennial birthday.

“The big question from Governor Jindal was, ‘So, what’s this thing worth?’”

A total of 118,700 New Orleans Mint $10 gold pieces were made for circulation in 1844, but only one presentation proof Eagle was specially struck. It is graded NGC Proof-65 Ultra Cameo.

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(Metairie, Louisiana) – More than 1,000 encapsulated John Quincy Adams presidential dollar coins were given free to students at the John Quincy Adams Middle School in Metairie, Louisiana in honor of the school’s principal on January 20, 2009. The gift was presented by coin dealer Paul Hollis of Mandeville, Louisiana, who attended the suburban New Orleans school two decades ago.

“One of my greatest educational experiences was the gifted and talented program at Adams, and I have always wanted to do something to express my gratitude,” Hollis said.

The mix of proof and high-grade mint state coins were encapsulated by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. They were distributed with certificates explaining the historical significance of the coins and also congratulating school principal, Dr. Cheryl Milam, who was named “2008 Principal of the Year” by the Louisiana Department of Education. The certificates were printed for Hollis by Crane & Co.

“Dr. Milam was an amazing teacher when I attended Adams from 1984 to 1986,” said Hollis.

“She helped encourage and foster my creativity and taught me so much. She even helped me start my first business, opening a salad bar at the school during my lunch break. I catered to the faculty, and it was a great experience for me.”

Nearly 1,050 encapsulated Adams dollars were distributed to students at a brief, special school assembly.

“Handing out all the coins was a real thrill for me, and I think the students really loved them. I hope they will cherish them as special keepsakes for a very long time,” said Hollis.

He presented Dr. Milam with a proof Adams dollar graded NGC PF-69 Ultra Cameo and housed in a wood box with a gold-colored metal label engraved, “Congratulations Louisiana’s Principal of the Year – Dr. Cheryl Milam.”

“I think it’s interesting the John Q. Adams dollars were struck in the same year, 2008, that my former teacher and now the school’s principal was selected for an extremely important statewide educator’s award.”

Hollis noticed that some things had changed at the Adams Middle School since he was a student there 22 years ago.

“As Student Body President in 1986, I always enjoyed leading the Pledge of Allegiance and giving announcements over the public address system every morning. Now, it’s entirely different. They have an entire ‘cast’ involved in reading the announcement, and they even have a 12-year old weatherman!”

Hollis, 36, began collecting coins at the age of six when he received an old coin from his grandmother. Today he specializes in ancient coins that circulated during the lifetime of Jesus Christ, and he also sells coins every month on the NBC Shopping Network.

“I love coins, and reaching a nationwide audience has been a real thrill for me,” he said.

For additional information, contact Paul Hollis Rare Coins at (800) 994-0689 or online at www.PaulHollis.com.

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It is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as Proof-65 Ultra Cameo, and now insured for $2.5 million for an upcoming exhibition.

“This coin is certainly among the most important Southern gold coins ever struck, combining rarity, beauty, technical quality and a fascinating story,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman.

The coin will be publicly displayed at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, beginning when the museum re-opens November 1, according to Greg Lambousy, Louisiana State Museum Director of Collections.

This first-ever public exhibit in Louisiana was arranged by Hollis and the anonymous Florida collector who has quietly owned the historic gold piece since acquiring it in 2006. Hollis personally carried the valuable coin from Florida to Louisiana, clutching it in his hands during the entire journey.

In a pre-arranged, secret rendezvous, he was met at Louis Armstrong International airport in New Orleans on September 23 by a state police escort for the trip to the museum where he presented the unique gold piece to officials there.

“I had goose bumps when the plane landed in New Orleans and I realized the coin I was holding in my hands was home in Louisiana for the first time in over a century and a half. I got goose bumps again when we arrived at the Old U.S. Mint. I’ve been trying to get this coin back to New Orleans for the past six years when it was owned by someone else,” said Hollis.

Slightly larger than a modern quarter-dollar and containing a half-ounce of gold, the 1844-O proof Eagle is the most valuable rare coin struck in Louisiana.

“The Old U.S. Mint was constructed under authorization by President Andrew Jackson. It struck its first coins in 1838 and ended coin production in 1909. During the Civil War, the Confederacy briefly struck coins there,” said Lambousy.

“A total of 118,700 New Orleans Mint $10 gold pieces were made for circulation in 1844, but only one presentation proof Eagle was specially struck.”

The obverse depicts a Liberty Head design by Christian Gobrecht and the date, 1844. The reverse shows an eagle with shield clutching an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other; the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TEN D.; and a large letter, O, as the New Orleans mintmark.

The first known sale of this coin dates back to the Parmalee Sale conducted by New York Stamp & Coin Co. in June 1890. Over the past century, owners of the coin have included former U.S. Treasury Secretary William H. Woodin, and roaring twenties era Chicago brewer, Virgil Brand. Other prominent former owners include Abe Kosoff, John J. Ford, John Murrell and Robert Lecce.

Beginning November 1, 2008, the mint museum will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays.

“Collectors should definitely take advantage of the special opportunity to view this coin in person. After all, this coin was not publicly seen from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. By looking at coins of this type, we better understand the role and capabilities of the Southern Mints in the 1840’s,” said Salzberg.

On the web:

Louisiana State Museum Old U.S. Mint
www.lsm.crt.state.la.us/mintex.htm

Paul Hollis
www.PaulHollis.com

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