A retiree named Will discovered the true value of a coin collection left to him by his late wife when he visited the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. The coins, which include commemorative Oregon Trail half dollars, were praised by Pawn Stars personality Rick Harrison as some of the most beautiful in American history. After consulting with an expert, the coins were estimated to be worth around $2,000. Will also revealed a special connection to the coins, as his late wife was a descendant of pioneer Ezra Meeker, who played a role in the creation of the coin. Despite the value of the collection, Will decided to sell the coins in order to use the money as a downpayment on a retirement property.
The Oregon Trail half dollar was first issued in 1926 to commemorate the Oregon Trail, a historic route used by pioneers to travel from the eastern United States to the Oregon Territory. The coins were designed by Laura Gardin Fraser, and feature a covered wagon on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. The coins were struck in silver, and have a face value of 50 cents.
The coins in Will’s collection were in excellent condition, and were graded as being high grade. This contributed to their value, as collectors often seek out high-grade coins. In addition to the coins, Will also brought a letter from Ezra Meeker, which was estimated to be worth another $400.
While Will and Rick were unable to strike a deal on the sale of the coins, Will did decide to sell the letter to Rick. He plans to take the coins to another outlet or coin show to sell them.
Will’s story is a reminder that even seemingly ordinary items can have hidden value. If you have any old coins or collectibles, it’s worth having them appraised to see if they are worth anything.
