Illegal Tender : Gold, Greed, and the Mystery of the Lost 1933 Double Eagle

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Summary: Maltese Falcon Meets LOTR
Review: I expected Illegal Tender to be heavy on historical facts and otherwise a dry, boring read. What I got was something completely different. Tripp does an outstanding job of keeping dry subject matter exciting. Well, exciting if you enjoy numismatics + history. Highly recommend this book if you're looking for something different from the usual run of the mill crap out there on the shelves.

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Summary: Reads like a novel but this one is a true story!!!
Review: If you are a fan of novels like "Topaz" and "The Maltese Falcon" then you are bound to enjoy David Tripp's "Illegal Tender". But this is not fiction. Rather it is a true story spanning more than 70 years and starring of all things a $20 gold coin!!!
You see when Franklin Roosevelt took the country off the gold standard immediately after his inauguration in 1933, he ordered that all gold coins in circulation be returned to the government. It was a monumental task of course but most patriotic Americans voluntarily complied. Likewise, any gold coins that had been minted and not yet circulated were also ordered to be destroyed. In early 1933, more than 445,000 double eagle coins had been struck by the U.S. Mint. Somehow, a tiny quantity of these coins managed to see the light of day. And this is what "Illegal Tender" is all about.
You'll learn how these coins managed to escape the clutches of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and all about the individual who was responsible. It is equally fascinating to read about those collectors who were able to obtain a rare 1933 "double eagle". For most of these folks the "double eagle" turned out to be an albatross. Be careful what you wish for!!! And as it became known that a quantity of these "illegal" coins had somehow fallen into the hands of collectors, David Tripp chronicles the Herculean efforts of the Secret Service to retreive them. Pretty compelling stuff!!!! Along the way you'll also be introduced to a number of coin dealers, lawyers and other assorted charactors who also play a role in this intriguing tale. Just what was it about these coins that was causing such a commotion?
"Illegal Tender" gets off to a fast start and I found myself hooked right away. However, I thought the story lost a bit of momentum over the final few chapters. Nevertheless this is a well written book that certainly deserves your attention. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Page Turner
Review: Illegal Tender reads like a fast-paced detective thriller. All the elements of a great "whodunit" are here. The elusive treasure, the thieving insider, the hard nosed by the book detectives and tying it all together is the outstanding writing of David Tripp.

In addition to weaving a fascinating tale of the fate of these precious 1933 Double Eagle coins, Tripp masterfully expands the panorama of the story to bring the reader back to the early 1930s and FDRs decision to essentially ban private ownership of gold. Indeed, while reading the first few chapters, I couldn't help but think the story of FDR's first 30 (forget 100) days in office would itself fill a book.

The story of the hunt for the purloined gold coins is wonderfully told with rich texture given to the main characters, an insider's look on how an FBI sting operates, the sometimes shady world of numismatism, and everything in between. The kernels of information laced throughout this book will literally leave you saying this CAN'T be true. But it is. There's a great coda to the story, I won't spoil here, but Tripp leaves one last twist until the very end.

This book is highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Illegal fun
Review: One of those stories where truth is stranger than fiction.
Meticulous research, great writing and intrigue kept me up well past my bedtime.

Rating:
Summary: Au+
Review: Rare coins, government fowlups, kings and presidents, big money, criminals, artists and a beautiful girl (on the coin)...all elements in this fascinating book. I am an avid reader of non-fiction and I have the collector gene, but I never expected this to be a one-night-read. Just great!

Rating:
Summary: Golden Greed
Review: This book has it all: kings, cops, crooks, and millionaire collectors all in pursuit of a fabulous gold coin that can't be legally owned or sold. Tripp's taut tale is exciting non-fiction, and the story and vivid personalities will keep you hooked. If you've ever looked at your spare change and wondered if one of your coins might be worth a fortune, this book is for you!

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Summary: Gold Fever
Review: This is not a great book, but it is a good book. Until a few years ago I would now and then visit a coin show and, of course, hear the occasional rumor of what had happened to those few 1933 St. Gaudens gold double eagles that had missed being melted down. This well researched and well written book gives the complete story. This book is not for everyone. If you have no interest in gold coins it might seem a bore, but if you do, then you might find yourself with that urge to hold some heavy yellow metal again.

Rating:
Summary: Great narrative non-fiction!
Review: Who would have thought that a book about an old gold coin would be interesting? Tripp does a fine job in explaining the financial problems this country was facing at the start of FDR's first term and how gold coins played a major part in saving the US banking system. The story of the '33 Double Eagle is fascinating--full of intrigue with a cast of characters worthy of Dickens.

One does not need to be a numismatic to appreciate this story. A great example of narrative non-fiction. Bravo, Mr. Tripp.