According to Encyclopedia Britannica, rare coin collecting became a pastime long ago — as early as the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Today, the most valuable coins are collectors’ items worth millions. We’ve comprised a list of artifacts with an explanation for each coin’s unique qualities.
Take a look at some of the top coins wanted by collectors.
1.1933 St. Gaudens Gold Double Eagle worth $18.9 million
The Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle is arguably the most expensive coin in the world.
In 1933, the coin was no rarity, and there were around 400,000 pieces minted. However, they were never distributed, and later on, most of them were smelted due to a law that prohibited people from owning gold. One piece belonged to the late King Farouk of Egypt.
This particular specimen was sold along with the rest of his collection in 1952, but then it went missing. The rare coin was rediscovered in 1996. In 2002, it sold for an astounding $7.6 million. And in 2021, it was sold for $18.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction, becoming the most expensive US coin.
With its denomination of $20, this instance of the Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle is the only one that can be resold and owned privately.
2. 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar worth $10 million
Among other rare coins, there’s the peculiar Flowing Hair Dollar. It is argued that this piece was the first used to test out the original 1794 coin die. For those unfamiliar with the process, dies are used to press various designs into coins. They are similar to stamps.
This particular coin is a Die State I coin, meaning it shows the earliest die was used on it. It shows prooflike reflectivity in its fields, which is not found in any of its counterparts. The item was sold in 2013 at Stack’s Bowers—an auction house specializing in rare old coins.
Its denomination is $1, and it was sold for $10 million.
3. 1822 Capped Head Left Half Eagle worth $8.4 million
Although there are reports of a 17,796 mintage, this precious item is the rarest coin among collectors. More precisely, it is the only one of its kind that can be privately owned. Its other two surviving counterparts are in the custody of the US government.
This specimen of the 1822 Capped Head Left Half Eagle changed only three owners in the last 115 years.
The denomination of this coin is $5, but its rarity makes it one of the most valuable coins coming from the US. In 2021, it was sold for $8.4 million.
4. 1804 Bust Dollar worth $7.6 million
Just like the name says, this coin’s denomination is one dollar. Its mintage was eight pieces, immediately placing it among rare US coins that are worth money — a lot of money. The 1804 Bust Dollar is a Class I dollar.
Its oddity lies in the fact that it was not produced in 1804 but in the 1830s. This is common knowledge among collectors.
However, in an attempt to remake its rarity, mint officials struck more specimens. These would later be recognized as Class II and Class III of the 1804 dollar. This Class I specimen is the most valuable coin of them all.
In 1999 it sold for $4.1 million. Then in 2021, it was sold again for $7.6 million at Stack’s Bowers, rising on the list of the most valuable US coins.
5. 1787 EB on Breast Brasher Doubloon worth $7.4 million
The EB stands for Ephraim Brasher—a well-known New York silver and goldsmith. When he proposed the state mint its own coins out of copper, the idea was passed over. That’s when the New Yorker produced his own coins called the Brasher Doubloons in 1787.
Each of the Brasher coins has his initials EB stamped on the eagle’s wing. According to PCGS, only this gold piece has the initials stamped on the breast.
The Brasher Doubloon is one of the rarest coins, famous for being the first gold coin in the US, standing almost in rebellion against famous British coins.
With a denomination of $15, the coin was bought for $7.4 million back in 2011 by a Wall Street investment firm.
6. 1861 Paquet Reverse Liberty Head worth $7.2 million
Among coins worth money in the US, this one is kept in high regard. It's highly graded according to the American grading system. Moreover, there are only two known specimens, making these rare US coins worth a fortune.
Its denomination is $20, and it was struck in 1861 in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia mint produced only a limited amount of these coins. In 2021, it was sold at an auction at Heritage Auctions for $7.2 million, and its value only keeps increasing, making it one of the most expensive coins in the US.
7. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel worth $4.5 million
In 1913, there were only five pieces of this coin made. This astounding rarity makes the Liberty Head Nickel one of the most valuable American coins.
At the time, the number of struck coins was limited because the law required the distribution and use of Buffalo nickels. As with other coins, mint workers managed to sneak a few specimens out of the facility in secret. Luckily for us, this illegal but common activity is why there are coins worth millions circulating today. Its denomination is only 5 cents.
In 2018, this piece, called the Eliasberg specimen, was sold for $4.5 million.
8. 723 Umayyad Caliphate Gold Dinar worth $3.72 million
One of the priciest, if not the most expensive coin of its kind, the Umayyad Caliphate Gold Dinar from 723 was struck in modern-day Syria. The name indicates that the gold used for making it comes from the Caliph’s mine. This was during the rule of the Umayyad dynasty between 661 and 750.
All coins worth money have a rich historical background, and this specimen is no exception—some believe that the dinar’s creation coincided with the Caliph’s holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
This dinar is known as the most valuable Islamic coin. The Dinar was sold in 2011 for the price of $3.72 million.
9. 2007 Canadian $1,000,000 Maple Leaf worth $3.4 million
A true rarity, this coin’s denomination is CA$ 1 million. Because it’s done in pure gold, it only keeps increasing in value.
In 2010, it was sold in Dorotheum, an auction house based in Vienna. It went for €3.2 million (around US$3.4 million) to a company specializing in trading precious metals called Oro Direct.
The coin’s diameter is 21 inches (53cm), and its weight is over 200 pounds (100kg). Due to its size and weight, it is the most valuable coin in the world that can be found in the Guinness Book of Records.
10. 42 BC Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AV Aureus worth $3.2 million
Dating back to 42 BC, the coin was ordered by Brutus to celebrate the murder of Julius Caesar. It depicts daggers surrounding a cap of a freed slave and the portrait of Brutus on the other side. It's one of the greatest masterpieces among rare old coins.
This coin has hundreds of specimens done in silver. However, the ones done in gold are the more expensive coins. Out of the three gold coins that are known to us, the first one is at the British Museum, the second is in the Deutsche Bundesbank collection, and the third known gold coin was sold at an auction in London for £2.7 million, which equates to $3.2 million.
To Sum Up
The most valuable coins are worth millions and are only increasing in value. What makes these coins priceless is their rarity, their background story, and the craftsmanship behind their design. Most are in private possession, in government custody, or still undiscovered.
Note: Image credits belong to their respective owners that are linked throughout this article.
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