The 1933 Double Eagle is considered the most valuable coin ever sold, fetching nearly $18.9 million at auction in 2021.
Here’s why it holds such a high value:
- Rarity: Only one is legally available for private ownership, with others held by the U.S. government, including some in the Smithsonian and others at Fort Knox.
- Historical Context: Minted during the Great Depression when the U.S. went off the gold standard, nearly all of the 445,500 Double Eagles produced that year were ordered to be melted down, [according to Gainesville Coins].
- Legal Intrigue: The single legally available coin has a history of government hunts and legal battles surrounding its ownership.
- Condition: The record-breaking coin was graded as Gem Brilliant Uncirculated (PCGS MS 65 CAC).
It’s important to remember that such high valuations are generally reserved for coins of exceptional rarity, historical significance, and pristine condition.
What is the highest valued coin?
Good point! 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin
The one remaining specimen is carefully preserved at National Numismatic Collections at the Smithsonian Institution. The 1849 Double Eagle is currently the rarest and most valuable coin in the world, with an estimated value of around $20 million.
What US coin is worth $19 million?
The 1933 double eagle $20 gold coin became the most expensive coin ever sold in June 2021 when it was auctioned for $18.9 million. But when the U.S. Mint first produced the coin in 1933, it wasn’t particularly rare, with around 445,500 produced.