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escrow to CFTB. Of this amount, $1,538,550 was paid on behalf of
the Trust, and $1,538,550 was paid on behalf of Ms. Trompeter.
Because the cash in Ms. Trompeter's subaccount totaled only
$1,423,772, the coexecutors authorized payment of the $115,266
shortage3 out of the decedent's subaccount.
III. The Decedent's Coin Collection and Other Assets
The decedent learned that he had terminal cancer sometime in
the early part of 1991. Attempting to place his affairs in
order, the decedent initiated the sale of his most valuable
asset, a proof gold coin collection.4 The decedent had collected
gold coins for at least 20 years and, before his death, he was a
nationally known coin collector who owned many rare gold coins
and some silver coins. The "Trompeter Collection", as it was
known in the coin world, was the decedent's premier gold coin
collection, consisting of 400 gold coins from the 19th and early
20th century. One hundred and ninety one of these coins (the 191
coins) consisted of the following:
1. $5 Liberty Head gold pieces (Half Eagles)
from 1858-1907;
2. $5 Indian Head gold pieces (Half Eagles) from
1908-1915;
3 We recognize that $1,538,550 minus $1,423,772 equals
$114,778, and that there is a $488 discrepancy. The parties have
not explained this discrepancy. Because the parties refer to the
shortage as $115,266, we do likewise.
4 The term "proof" describes the special minting process for
certain coins designed to be issued as gifts to dignitaries or
sold at a premium to collectors.
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