The 1933 $20 gold Double Eagle coin is extremely valuable and sought after by collectors, with its value stemming from its rarity and intriguing history.
Here’s why this coin is so valuable:
- Rarity and non-circulation: Although nearly 445,500 of these $20 gold coins were minted, almost all were melted down and none were officially released for public circulation due to a change in US monetary policy during the Great Depression.
- Theft and legal battles: Despite the order to melt the coins, approximately 20 were stolen from the Philadelphia Mint. These coins became the subject of decades of legal battles between collectors and the US government, which considered them stolen property.
- The “Farouk” coin and record sale: One of the stolen coins was eventually sold to King Farouk of Egypt in 1944. After resurfacing in 1996 and undergoing further legal proceedings, the US government and the British dealer in possession of the coin agreed to monetize it and sell it at auction. This specific coin sold for an incredible $18.9 million in 2021, setting a record for the most expensive coin ever sold.
- Legality of ownership: With the exception of the “Farouk” coin, which was officially monetized, owning a 1933 Double Eagle is still illegal. The U.S. Secret Service investigates reports of other specimens.
In summary, the 1933 Double Eagle is renowned for its rarity, historical significance related to the US abandoning the gold standard, its dramatic backstory involving theft and legal battles, and its status as the world’s most expensive coin, [according to Wikipedia].
How much is a 1933 $20 coin worth?
A gold coin that was minted in 1933 called the Double Eagle was auctioned in 2021 for $18.9 million. Its value is centered in history. A gold coin that was minted in 1933 called the Double Eagle was auctioned in 2021 for $18.9 million. Its value is centered in history.
What is a 1933 20 dollar gold piece?
Thanks for asking. The 1933 double eagle is a United States 20-dollar gold coin. Although 445,500 specimens of this Saint-Gaudens double eagle were minted in 1933 in the midst of the Great Depression, none were ever officially circulated; further, all but two were ordered to be melted down.