But coin experts say they have found the first silver piece minted by the United States — one likely held by the most en vogue of Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton. David McCarthy figured the silver coin had to be one-of-a-kind after spotting it in the auction catalog. It was the first clue that the coin was something singular, said McCarthy, a senior researcher for the coin and collectibles firm Kagin's. As first Superintendent of Finance of the United States, Morris wrote he received a delivery of "a Piece of Silver Coin being the first that has been struck as an American Coin." So McCarthy bid on the silver coin — and then began the research needed to make his case ironclad.

Source: ABC News August 01, 2017 05:03 UTC