NEW YORK–Much of the focus is on cryptocurrencies, but a coin of the old-fashioned type is on display here, and it won’t be deposited in a credit union any time soon.
A solid gold coin nearly 32 inches in diameter and nearly five inches thick–and weighting 2,200 pounds or 32,000 troy ounces–was put on display in front of New York Stock Exchange for one day. Its value: more than $45 million.
The owner of the coin, which has Queen Elizabeth’s profile on one side and a mid-hop kangaroo on the other, is the Perth Mint in Australia, one of the largest gold refiners in the world. The coin is on display as part of a publicity tour for the mint’s exchange-traded fund.
The coin was minted in 2011 and is considered the world’s largest gold coin.
According to Richard Hayes, CEO of the Perth Mint, the coin has seen a $3.3 million increase in value since May.
Despite the value, the coin came to the U.S. via a commercial airliner.