What Is the Great Kentucky Hoard?
In summer 2023, a remarkable discovery in rural Kentucky captivated the numismatic world and treasure hunters alike: the Great Kentucky Hoard — a buried cache of Civil War-era coins, mostly gold, that had remained hidden for over a century.
This incredible find instantly became one of the most talked-about coin hoards in recent memory — not just for its size and value, but for the historical mystery surrounding why it was buried there at all.
Where and How It Was Found
The Great Kentucky Hoard was uncovered by a man working on his own land in an undisclosed part of Kentucky. While digging in a freshly plowed cornfield, he began uncovering coins in the soil — first a few, then dozens, and eventually hundreds.
The exact location and the identity of the finder have never been publicly revealed — he remains anonymous, likely to protect his property and the treasure itself.
What Was in the Hoard?
The hoard included more than 800 Civil War-era coins, with over 700 of them gold.
Most of the coins were U.S. gold dollars dated between 1854 and 1862, often classified into Type I, Type II, and Type III varieties.
In addition, the hoard contained:
20 Liberty Head $10 gold eagles (Liberty Head design) — dating roughly 1840–1862
8 Liberty Head $20 gold double eagles (Liberty Double Eagles) — from 1857–1862
Several very rare 1863-P $20 Gold Liberty Double Eagle coins (18 examples) — a super-rare date that can command high collector prices
A handful of pre-1865 silver coins mixed in with the gold.
The latest dated coins — from 1863 — help date when the hoard was likely buried.
Why Was It Buried?
While there’s no definitive answer, historians and coin experts believe the hoard may have been deliberately buried during the American Civil War — possibly to safeguard wealth during a chaotic time.
Kentucky during the war had a neutral stance, sitting between Union and Confederate states, leading some residents to bury valuables rather than risk loss or confiscation.
Archaeologists suggest the hoard could have been hidden before Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s 1863 raid through the region, a time when people may have feared for their money and belongings.
Authentication, Grading & Sale
After the discovery, the hoard was turned over to the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) — a leading coin certification service — for authentication, conservation, and grading.
NGC encapsulated the coins with special labels identifying them as part of the “Great Kentucky Hoard.” They were subsequently marketed and sold through reputable dealers like GovMint.com, where collectors could purchase individual coins or examples from the hoard.
Value and Rarity
Though the hoard had a face value of only about $1,200 based on coin denominations, the numismatic and historical value soared far beyond face value — with the total worth easily into the multi-million-dollar range once rarity and condition were factored in.
Some individual coins — especially the rare 1863-P $20 Gold Liberty double eagles — have sold or been discussed at six-figure prices in collector circles.
Historical Importance
The Great Kentucky Hoard offers a tangible window into the Civil War era — a period when coinage, money handling, and personal wealth intersected with national conflict. It’s not just a cache of valuable coins — it’s a time capsule revealing how people may have tried to protect their assets in uncertain times.
Final Thoughts
The discovery of the Great Kentucky Hoard is rare in both scale and circumstances — a truly once-in-a-lifetime find that blends history, mystery, and numismatic significance. For collectors and historians alike, it underscores the enduring allure of buried treasure and the stories that old coins can tell.
To learn more about Civil War-era coinage, rare gold coins, or how to track historic coins and hoards, visit CoinCollectingTools.com.