Praised For Research Pinpointing USA’s Historic 1794 First Silver Dollar
(Napa, California) December 5, 2024 – Steven L. Contursi, Co-Proprietor with his wife, Seanne, of Napa Valley’s Arrow&Branch Winery and Tasting Lounge (www.ArrowAndBranchWinery.com) near Yountville, California, has been named one of the world’s greatest rare coin experts by COINage magazine, an influential numismatic publication for collectors and dealers.
In addition to his passion for creating premium wines, Contursi is Chief Executive Officer of Rare Coin Wholesalers (www.RareCoinWholesalers.com) in Laguna Beach, California, and named his wine business based on a classic United States coin design.
He was selected as one of the “World’s Greatest Coin Graders” in the just-published COINage 2025 Book of Lists. His profile article cites his diligent research that pinpointed an early American coin that many experts now believe is the first silver dollar ever struck by the young United States Mint in 1794. COINage describes it as “one of the most exciting discoveries in U.S. numismatics.”
Contursi acquired the historic 1794 dollar in 2003 and began his extensive research and collaboration with other experts including a side-by-side comparison with another 1794-dated dollar in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. He displayed his unique coin in educational exhibits across the country including World’s Fair of Money conventions, then sold it in 2010 for a record $7.85 million.
Contursi named his wine brand and winery Arrow&Branch based on a design of another important rare coin he owned, a 1787 Brasher Doubloon, the first gold coin made in the United States. The design features an eagle clutching arrows and olive branches in its talons, symbolizing the country wants peace but is prepared to fight.
Over the last 50 years, Contursi has traded well over $2 billion of historically significant, museum-quality United States rare coins. He manages along with his son, Michael Contursi, the largest active United States coin inventory in the world valued at over $100 million.
The COINage 2025 Book of Lists is available at Barnes & Noble bookstores. For additional information, contact Rare Coin Wholesalers at (800) 347-3250 or visit online at www.RareCoinWholesalers.com.