Chicago Coin : Sometimes the most incredible historical discoveries happen in the most ordinary places. That’s exactly what happened when Russ Bega, a seasoned coin expert at a Chicago shop, came across five seemingly simple coins that would lead him on an unexpected journey into naval history and maritime archaeology.
The Discovery That Started It All
Russ Bega has been working with coins for decades as the chief operating officer at Harlan J. Berk Ltd., a respected coin dealership that’s been serving collectors in Chicago’s Loop for over 60 years. When you’ve handled thousands of coins, you develop an eye for the unusual, the historically significant, and the potentially important.
On what seemed like a routine Thursday, Bega was examining materials from an estate controlled by the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office. Among the various items was a small collection of old coins, each bearing a simple but intriguing tag that read “USS Yorktown.”
For most people, that tag might not have meant much. But Bega’s curiosity was immediately piqued. “So being who I am I do a little bit of Googling and actually find out that these were looted from the ship,” Bega explained.
What he discovered next would transform a routine coin evaluation into a remarkable story of historical detective work and ethical responsibility.
The USS Yorktown’s Forgotten Mission
The USS Yorktown wasn’t just any naval vessel. This sloop-of-war, commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1839, had an important and noble mission that many people today might not realize was part of American naval history.
In 1850, the Yorktown was patrolling the waters off the African coast as part of America’s efforts to combat the illegal slave trade. “Slaves were not allowed to be brought into the country anymore,” Bega noted, explaining how the U.S. Navy conducted significant anti-slavery operations in the Atlantic during this period.
This was dangerous work, and unfortunately, the Yorktown’s mission came to a tragic end when the ship struck a reef near Cape Verde in 1850. While no lives were lost in the accident, the ship and all its contents sank to the bottom of the ocean, where they would remain for more than 170 years.
When Ethics Trump Profit
Here’s where this story becomes particularly compelling. When Bega realized what he had discovered, he faced a choice that reveals a lot about character and professional integrity. The five coins, while historically significant, have an estimated market value of only about $1,000. For a business that deals in valuable collectibles, this wasn’t exactly a fortune.
But for Bega and Harlan J. Berk Ltd., the decision was clear. The company has built its reputation over six decades on what Bega calls “honesty, integrity and also making sure that important pieces like this can be enjoyed by more people.”
Rather than treating these as just another estate find, Bega immediately contacted the U.S. Navy History and Heritage Command. His research had revealed that these coins were artifacts from a shipwreck, making them fundamentally different from typical collectible coins that might change hands in the marketplace.
The Navy’s Surprise Response
When Bega reached out to the Navy, officials were genuinely surprised to hear from him. It’s not every day that someone voluntarily reports having artifacts from a 174-year-old shipwreck, especially when those artifacts have relatively modest monetary value.
The response from the Navy History and Heritage Command was both grateful and enthusiastic. They arranged for the coins to be returned and confirmed that they would be reunited with other artifacts from the USS Yorktown, eventually going on display in a museum in Washington, D.C.
This outcome ensures that these pieces of American naval history will be preserved and made accessible to the public, rather than disappearing into private collections where their historical context might be lost.
A Lesson in Historical Responsibility
What makes this story particularly noteworthy is how it demonstrates the complex ethical considerations that can arise in the world of antiques and collectibles. The person or estate that originally obtained these coins won’t face any legal action from the Navy, recognizing that the circumstances of how these artifacts left their original context are often complicated and occurred long ago.
This approach reflects a growing understanding in the archaeological and museum communities that the goal should be preserving and sharing historical artifacts rather than pursuing punitive measures that might discourage people from coming forward with important discoveries.
The Bigger Picture of Maritime Archaeology
Bega’s discovery highlights the fascinating world of maritime archaeology and the countless historical treasures that still rest on ocean floors around the world. Shipwrecks like the USS Yorktown serve as time capsules, preserving not just valuable objects but entire snapshots of life from different historical periods.
The fact that these coins survived their time underwater and eventually made their way to a Chicago estate sale demonstrates the unpredictable journeys that historical artifacts can take. It also shows how ordinary people can play crucial roles in preserving history, simply by staying curious and asking the right questions.
Beyond the Headlines
While this story might seem like it’s primarily about coins, it’s really about much more. It’s about the importance of understanding our shared history, particularly aspects like the Navy’s anti-slavery missions that might not be widely known today.
It’s also about the value of expertise and the responsibilities that come with specialized knowledge. Bega’s background in numismatics allowed him to recognize the significance of what he was seeing and to take appropriate action.
As these coins prepare for their journey to Washington, D.C., where they’ll join other USS Yorktown artifacts, they carry with them a new chapter in their already remarkable story. From their creation in the mid-1800s, through their time aboard a Navy vessel fighting against slavery, to their decades underwater and eventual discovery in a Chicago estate, these coins have witnessed an extraordinary arc of American history.
Bega hopes that this discovery might spark interest in coin collecting or maritime history for new generations of enthusiasts. “If this gets one person interested in collecting coins or world coins, I think that pays dividends,” he reflected.
In a world where historical artifacts sometimes disappear into private collections or are sold without regard for their cultural significance, this story offers an encouraging example of how ethical decision-making can ensure that important pieces of our past remain accessible to everyone.
The five coins from the USS Yorktown may not be worth a fortune in monetary terms, but their value as connectors to our shared history is immeasurable. Thanks to one coin expert’s curiosity and integrity, they’ll continue telling their story for generations to come.