Kellogg Restrike F.A.Q.

What does "Quintuple Eagle" mean?
In the early 1800s, money was gold. At that time, America's largest gold coin was the $10 gold piece with our patriotic eagle on the reverse. The name for the coin became known as the "Eagle." A $50 piece, which is five times the size, is called a "Quintuple Eagle." In fact, the Kellogg Quintuple Eagle is 2 ½ times the size of the ever popular Double Eagle, the largest coin ever produced by the United States Mint for use in commerce. Without question, the Kellogg Quintuple Eagle is very large, very heavy and, in "Gem Proof" condition, unsurpassed in visual appeal. It is truly amazing to hold such a magnificent gold piece irrespective of its historical significance.

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What does "Gem Proof" mean?
To achieve incredibly beautiful and reflective surfaces, a coin is struck multiple times using freshly polished dies, which makes it a "proof" issue. When it is "gem" quality, it means essentially perfect surfaces free of flaws. Gem Proof coins are the most cherished by collectors and investors and certainly most appealing in gold.

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Are there other examples of gem proof gold coins?
The only other proof gold coin of this size that is noted in the well known numismatic reference guide, "The Red Book", is an original Kellogg $50, of which a dozen are believed to have survived and are valued at $200,000. Because of their large size and the aesthetic appeal of the work of its engraver's design, these are fondly called the "King of Territorials".

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Why is the Kellogg $50 Restrike important to numismatic collectors and investors?
In the eyes of numismatists, John Grover Kellogg is the most popular of the private coiners of San Francisco. Throughout our history, few coin dies survived and it is amazing that Kellogg's original 1855 dies of the "King of Territorials" actually did survive. Incredibly, these coins are struck with working dies transferred from John Grover Kellogg's original 1855 dies and gold from 69 actual California gold rush monetary ingots produced at his assay office in San Francisco, and which were recovered from the SS Central America shipwreck. Furthermore, because this limited issue is struck under the authorization and sanction of the California Historical Society, these coins have historic and numismatic importance and therefore are included in the rare coin reference guide "The Red Book", which is universally used by numismatists.

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Does a Restrike have value?
In at least two cases, a Restrike specimen is more valuable than an original. The most valuable coin in the world is the 1804 Silver Dollar that was restuck in the 1834. One of these sold for over $4,000,000. Also, many Gobrecht silver dollars were restruck and issued in the 1860s and now sell for over $50,000 in gem condition. Another example is the restrike of the $10 gold Baldwin, which was private "territorial" gold coinage during the California Gold Rush. As compared to a Kellogg Restrike, it is a much smaller piece, struck only in silver (not gold), no "Ship of Gold" pedigree, not in proof condition, and it was a simple copy made by a coin dealer in the early 1900s without using original dies. That said, this coin has sold at public auction for $3,800 dating back to 1978.

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What will make the Kellogg Restrike valuable?
Supply of this limited issue is less than 5000, while demand is very strong. Consider that sales have been brisk without the general knowledge that they are available for acquisition. The effect of the upcoming Gold Rush documentary and the inevitability of Warner Brother's "Ship of Gold" movie may make it difficult to locate samples to own at whatever the then-current market price may be in the future. Collectors and investors simply want to own a piece of the SS Central America treasure and have a part in the "Ship of Gold" legend, which is the greatest event in numismatic history.

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When will Warner Brothers release the Ship of Gold movie?
The monthly rare coin periodical, "The Numismatist", reported that Warner Brothers purchased the movie rights to the "Ship of Gold" story for $800,000. The novel, "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea" was a New York Times Best Seller and an incredible non-fiction journal of Tommy Thompson's monumental success at the all-time greatest of American dreams - finding and keeping hundreds of millions in historic gold artifacts. Estimates are two years to produce a movie of this caliber that is budgeted and expected to rival "Titanic."

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How will the general public come to know about the Kellogg Restrike?
Besides the overwhelming response from advertisements, The California Gold Marketing Group in cooperation with Tommy Thompson and the California Historical Society is sponsoring a documentary on the California Gold Rush. This one-hour program should run frequently on TV much like the History Channel's "Ship of Gold" documentary.

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When and where were the Kelloggs struck?
By a very special arrangement made by Dwight Manley and the California Historical Society, all of the issue were struck (using an old San Francisco Mint press) at the Presidio in San Francisco commencing August 20^th and ending September 12^th, 2001. These 24 days coincide with the gold's journey, 144 years prior, from San Francisco to where it lay preserved under 8000 feet of the Atlantic Ocean.

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How will collectors know the date that the Kelloggs were struck?
Each coin has a hand applied "counterstamp" noting the date struck and signifying where the gold was on its journey, 144 years prior. Counterstamps are historically important, add numismatic importance and are desirable to collectors. They were a common occurrence in those days as recognition of a merchant's verification of the money's value and as a means of free advertising.

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How will others know that it is authentic?
Each and every coin is certified authentic and independently graded Gem Proof by PCGS, the leading third-party grading service for rare coins. They are encapsulated and come packaged in the unmistakably impressive California Historical Society box that holds the impressive hand-hammered copper presentation frame.

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Has the media covered the Restrike story?
Coinage Magazine, Coin World Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle have released the story of the Restrike, but the mainstream media has yet to cover the event. At the first striking, Tommy Thompson, Bob Evans, several famous numismatists and the press were present. This would normally warrant a bit of media coverage but certainly is not the type of shocking or catastrophic event that the mainstream media typically portrays.

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How do I reserve a Kellogg Restrike Commemorative SS Central America Coin?
Simply call Monaco Financial, an Authorized Dealer, at 888-900-9948 to reserve your piece of Gold Rush history. You may also ask about available financing and opportunities to select a collection of coins with different striking dates.

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