In the world of numismatics, few stories are as intriguing and dramatic as that of the Binion Hoard. This collection of Morgan silver dollars—somewhere around 1,400 of them—was stolen, hidden, and eventually rediscovered, and its history is intertwined with murder, mystery, and a web of criminal intrigue. The tale of the Binion Hoard is one of the most captivating in the annals of American coinage history, and it all started in the heart of Las Vegas.
The Hoard’s Origins
The Binion Hoard takes its name from Benny Binion, a notorious Las Vegas casino owner and a key figure in the city’s early development. In the 1950s and 1960s, Binion amassed a vast collection of rare coins, including thousands of Morgan silver dollars, which were among the most popular coins of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These coins were largely stored in a secretive location, hidden away in the vaults of Binion’s Horseshoe Casino, a legendary institution in the world of gambling.
The Stolen Hoard
In 1998, Benny Binion died, but his legacy—both in Las Vegas and within the world of numismatics—lived on. After his death, his family took control of his assets, including the coin collection. However, the hoard would soon become the target of a daring robbery. In 1999, a massive portion of the Binion Hoard, roughly $20 million worth of Morgan dollars, was stolen from a vault in the Horseshoe Casino.
The robbery raised numerous questions. Who was behind it? How did the thieves manage to access such a highly secured vault? And, most chilling of all, what had happened to the coins? The case remained unsolved for years, and rumors abounded. Some speculated that the coins had been melted down or sold on the black market, while others believed they had been hidden away in a secret location.
The Murder Mystery
The story took another dark turn when, in 2004, the investigation took a mysterious twist that involved a murder. Ted Binion, Benny’s son, had long been involved in the family’s business. However, in a tragic turn of events, Ted was found dead in 2004 under suspicious circumstances. His girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, and a lover named Rick Tabish were later convicted of his murder.
As the investigation into Ted Binion’s death progressed, detectives uncovered evidence that linked Rick Tabish to the Binion Hoard theft. Tabish had been trying to recover the coins from an alleged hidden location, and investigators believed that the murder was tied to the quest for the missing hoard. This development brought the saga of the Binion Hoard into the realm of true crime, with a chilling connection between the stolen coins and the murder mystery.
The Rediscovery
Despite the drama, twists, and turns, the Binion Hoard’s story took another unexpected turn. In 2000, a tip led authorities to a hidden location in Pahrump, Nevada, where part of the hoard—roughly 30,000 coins—was recovered, including many of the Morgan silver dollars that had been stolen from the Horseshoe Casino. It was a thrilling moment for coin collectors, and the recovery of the coins became a landmark event in the world of numismatics.
Conclusion
The Binion Hoard stands as a testament to the strange and sometimes sinister world of rare coins. What began as a remarkable collection of Morgan silver dollars ended up embroiled in one of the most fascinating true crime stories in American history. From Benny Binion’s casino empire to the murder of his son, Ted, and the mysterious theft of the hoard, this story serves as a reminder that, in the world of rare coins, things are not always what they seem. Whether or not the remaining coins will ever resurface is still unknown, but the legacy of the Binion Hoard is sure to endure for years to come.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Expo coins?
These coins commemorate the centennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which helped open the American West.
2. What designs are featured on the 1905 Lewis and Clark coins?
The 1905 Lewis and Clark silver dollar features portraits of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with a depiction of the keelboat.
3. Are the 1905 Lewis and Clark coins valuable today?
Yes, the 1905 coins and medals are highly valued by collectors. The silver dollar is particularly sought after due to its high quality and limited mintage.