Determining the absolute rarest US coin is tricky, as rarity is intertwined with several factors, including mintage figures, survival rates, condition, and collector demand.
Some US coins consistently rank among the rarest and most valuable:
1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: Nearly all of the 445,500 that were minted were melted down due to the US removing itself from the gold standard. It is believed that only 13 of these coins remain, with one privately owned example selling for nearly $19 million in 2021.
1849 Double Eagle: Only two trial pieces of this coin were minted to commemorate the beginning of the $20 Double Eagle era during the California Gold Rush. One is in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian, making it exceptionally rare.
1794 Flowing Hair Dollar: This was the first silver dollar issued by the US federal government. While originally worth $1, its historical significance and rarity have driven prices up to $7,750,000 for a well-preserved specimen.
1787 Brasher Doubloon: This privately minted gold coin is incredibly rare and was created by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher. Only a few still exist today, with one fetching $7.4 million at auction.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel: These nickels were produced in secret, without the authorization of the US Mint. Only five are known to exist, making them extremely sought after, with one selling for over $4 million.
1804 Silver Dollar: Despite its name, this coin was minted in the 1830s for diplomatic gifts. Only 15 are believed to exist, with one Class I example selling for over $4 million.
The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle holds the record for the most expensive US coin sold at auction. The 1849 Double Eagle might be considered the rarest due to the extremely limited mintage and unique circumstances surrounding its creation.
What coin is worth $1,000,000?
1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny. Now we’re getting into some serious money. The 1943 Bronze Lincoln penny has gone for hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it could go for as much as $1 million in perfect shape, according to Urban Aunty — as long as it’s missing a mint mark (and thus from Philadelphia).
What coin is worth $40,000?
Good point! PCGS values a 1966 Jefferson Nickel in MS66 FS as worth $40,000 and the reason is the grade (MS66) and the striking designation “Full Steps” or “FS”. The 1966 nickel is extremely rare when the steps are fully struck and in the grade MS66 it’s a registry quality coin.
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.