1933 Double Eagle Coin Investigation

In 1944, a rare 1933 Double Eagle coin appeared at a New York auction, sparking an investigation by the US Secret Service. Special Agent Harry Strang traced the coin's origins to Philadelphia, suspecting Izzy Swit and George McCann of stealing the coins from the US Mint. Despite evidence, the statute of limitations prevented prosecution. Nine coins were recovered, but a tenth remained elusive, eventually becoming highly valuable.

What was unusual about the coin auctioned by Stax in 1944?

• It was a 1933 Double Eagle, which should not exist.

• It was a counterfeit coin.

• It was made of silver instead of gold.

• It was the only coin of its kind.

What was the role of the US Secret Service in the 1933 Double Eagle case?

• To investigate the coin's origins.

• To authenticate the coin.

• To auction the coin.

• To destroy the coin.

Who was Izzy Swit in the context of the 1933 Double Eagle investigation?

• A coin collector.

• A key figure in the Philadelphia gold trade.

• A Secret Service agent.

• A mint employee.

What did Harry Strang discover about George McCann's financial activities?

• He had no suspicious transactions.

• He received unexplained payments matching withdrawals by Swit's partner.

• He was bankrupt.

• He was investing in real estate.

What crime was George McCann previously convicted of?

• Smuggling gold.

• Counterfeiting currency.

• Stealing miscellaneous coins from the mint.

• Forgery of coins.

Why couldn't McCann and Swit be prosecuted for the theft of the 1933 Double Eagles?

• They were found innocent.

• The statute of limitations had expired.

• They had diplomatic immunity.

• There was no evidence against them.

How many illegal coins did Harry Strang manage to retrieve?

• Nine

• Five

• Ten

• Twelve

What is the significance of the tenth coin that was not retrieved?

• It was never real.

• It will become highly valuable.

• It was lost forever.

• It was destroyed.