#39-Doubloon, Magnum P.I. & The Bambino
“Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive.” - Ettore Bugatti
What do I do? I’m searching for the world’s greatest collectibles.
Fascinated by the history, provenance, and extreme value these items hold.
If you’re buying, I can help.
Selling? I’m interested and would like to talk.
From the most rare Pagani hypercars, to the 1907 ultra high relief double eagle gold coin, if you own one of the world’s greatest collectibles, I would love to discuss it with you.
I search the globe to meet fascinating collectors, hear their stories, and help them in their journey. Always in confidence.
I’m looking forward to crossing paths with you someday.
Three Thoughts -
My three favorite insights I’ve been thinking about lately -
#1 - “The Single Most Important Coin…”
I love Saint Gaudens double eagle gold coins, that's no secret,
but there is one other gold coin that crosses my mind, from time-to-time.
The 1787 Brasher Doubloon.
It was the very first gold coin made in the United States.
New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher wanted to produce coinage.
Maybe it was because his next door neighbor at 1 Cherry Street was George Washington, or maybe he just loved designing coins.
Nonetheless, the State of New York denied his request to produce copper coins. So he went ahead and made gold coins instead.
But they were mostly forgotten for decades.
Then mysteriously rediscovered at the Philadelphia Mint in 1838.
Only seven examples are know to exist.
On one side, the sun rising over mountains. The other side, an eagle with arrows and olive branches.
Six coins feature Ephraim Brasher's initials on the right wing, and one coin is stamped, "EB" on the eagle's chest.
One of the six "right wing" coins sold in 2021 for almost $10 million.
The only "EB on Eagle's chest" coin sold for $3 million in 2005. Many experts call it the single most important coin in American history.
#2 - The Epic Magnum P.I. Ferrari -
The Magnum P.I. Ferrari might be the greatest Ferrari models ever made.
It’s not the most expensive. It’s not the fastest. But it was driven by one of the coolest characters to ever star in a T.V. series.
Fans of the show will never forget the opening credits. The music to the opening theme was an enormous hit.
A more extended version of the Magnum P.I. theme music was created by popular demand, and it actually peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1982. Something unheard of for a T.V. show theme song.
What made the opening credits especially memorable was the Ferrari 308 GTS featured in many of the scenes.
Would Magnum P.I. have run for eight seasons and become a massive hit if actor Tom Selleck was chasing down criminals by jumping into a Pontiac Sunbird?
#3 - One-of-One Babe Ruth -
Out of all 1,500 graded cards of it's kind, there is only one of these -
The PSA 9 graded 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth, the only PSA 9 card in existence. There are no PSA 10s.
The card sold in 2021 for $4.2 million as part of a massive collection from Thomas Newman.
When Dr. Newman passed away, his entire collection sold for over $20 million, including some of the most epic cards in the world.
With a passion for collecting, he also had an eye for the best of the best.
He purchased the $4 million Babe Ruth card in the mid-1990s for just $20,000.
Question for You -
What are traits of the World's Greatest Collectibles?
- Rarity
- Quality
- Provenance
- An Amazing Story
But it doesn't stop there. You also need:
- Beauty
- Desirability
- Cultural impact
- Near obsolescence
- A personal connection
- Wonder, curiosity, or amazement
- And almost zero chance of owning it
What else am I missing?
Thanks for reading, and have a great week!
TJ@atticcapital.com