I saw an “interesting
post” on a coin collector web site about a hoard of Eisenhower silver dollar coins that was discovered in the basement
of the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas.
According to the post, the coins were stored for many years
and, as some coins will, toned to vibrant colors that collectors highly value. Supposedly, according to the web site post,
the coins were purchased from the Library at face value by a custodian of the Library who “discovered“ the box
of coins stored by a boiler.
Such a hoard could in fact be worth a lot of money, so I called the Library to find out
if it is a “true story.”
Well, I doubt that there is a Library “cover up” of the hoard of valuably
toned coins. And, the managers I spoke with at the Library said “no,” there is no hoard of coins that was stored
in the Library or sold by the Library.
In fact, Dan Holt, the manager and director of the Library and Museum laughed
when I told him about the story. He said "that's almost as funny as the tale that Eisenhower's gold is buried under
his statue here." Mr. Holt did say that the gift shop does sell uncirculated examples of the Eisenhower dollar
coin at prices of $5 and $12 depending on how they are packaged. But these coins come from "suppliers" of
gift shop material, and they aren't from some hoard of coins with valuable toning.
Until someone comes forward
with a verifiable name or two, I will consider the story about the “Library Hoard” to be a myth.
Good
hunting! Alan Mendelson
