Collection: Templeton Reid (Georgia) (1830 - 1849)

The Templeton Reid gold coins, struck in Georgia in 1830, were among the first privately minted gold coins in the United States. Reid’s mint operated for just three months, producing $2.50 Quarter Eagles, $5 Half Eagles, and $10 Eagles, before shutting down due to public controversy and criticism. Today, these coins are exceedingly rare, with most having been melted down.

Key Features of Templeton Reid Gold Coins

• Denominations Produced:
  • $2.50 Quarter Eagle – ~1,000 minted
  • $5 Half Eagle – ~300 minted
  • $10 Eagle – ~250 minted
• Purpose: Converted Georgia gold dust into coins for easier trade.
• Rarity: Most were melted by the U.S. Mint, making surviving specimens among the rarest U.S. private gold coins.

The Controversy That Ended Reid’s Mint

• In July 1830, Reid’s minting process was praised by local newspapers, reporting that he had already produced $1,500 in gold coins.
• In August 1830, an anonymous critic, “No Assayer”, claimed that a $10 Reid gold coin contained only $9.38 in gold, accusing Reid of shortchanging the public.
• By October 1830, amid mounting criticism in Georgia newspapers, Reid ceased operations, ending his short-lived coinage experiment.

Collector Demand & Investment Value

• With only 1,600 coins originally struck, surviving examples are among the rarest and most valuable pre-Civil War American coins.
• Numismatic interest was minimal at the time, leading to their widespread melting, further increasing their scarcity.
• Today, Templeton Reid coins are highly sought after, with years often passing between auction appearances.

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