SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A Utah auctioneer says he thinks a gold coin minted by Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley could fetch more than $500,000 before bidding ends Thursday night.
Tyson Emery is a coin expert from All About Coins in Sugar House.
He tells KSL-TV he already has a $375,000 online bid for the $10 coin made by early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settlers.
He says the territorial coin dates to the 1800s, when U.S. coins and currency were scarce.
Mormon currency made from mid-century California gold ore came in denominations including $2 1/2, $5, $10 and $20.
The LDS Church History Museum has a replica display featuring coins, dies and other equipment.
Simple and rugged designs showed clasped hands, with uneven lettering and numbers.