Only four specimens of this quintessentially rare coin were minted but not in 1804, as the date on the obverse suggests. Instead, these near-priceless coins were minted by special order of President Andrew Jackson during the period 1834 1835 as diplomatic gifts to a king, two emperors, and a sultan.
The story begins in 1832 and is the sort of tale that can arouse ones imagination and inspire movies.. It is a story about politics, greed, and courage that includes attacks by pirates, a shipwreck on a desert island, daring rescues, strange-but-true encounters with exotic natives, and, finally, tragedy.
The King of Eagles continues to be the ultimate prize for collectors of American coins and for history enthusiast.