Coin
collecting experts say they have identified a 210-year-old silver dollar
that is likely the first one coined by the United States Mint.

The American Numismatic Association, a coin collectors organization
based in Colorado Springs, said it planned to put the coin on public
display beginning in mid-April.

Experts said it's impossible to say for certain that the coin was the
very first U.S. silver dollar struck, but it certainly was among the
first.

"Until someone walks up to me with a coin in an earlier state
that looks better, I'd consider it the first," said John
Dannreuther, co-founder of Professional Coin Grading Service.

Unlike the other roughly 130 surviving U.S. dollars minted in 1794,
the silver dollar is in mint condition,
according to evaluations performed by Professional Coin Grading Service
and Numismatic Guaranty Corp.

The coin, which has only a few Mint-made file
marks, features images of Lady Liberty ringed with stars on the
front and an eagle on the back.

Steven Contursi bought the coin last year from an unidentified owner
and said he spent "multimillions." It is insured for million.

The dealer who sold Contursi the dollar didn't realize it could be
the first of its kind。

But it's not for sale, Contursi said: "I think it's a national
treasure."

The Mint struck 1,758 silver dollars on Oct. 15, 1794, at a time when
foreign currencies circulated freely in the United States and the
country wanted its own standard to use in world trade.