It’s challenging to definitively name the single “rarest coin ever” because rarity can be subjective and depend on various factors like historical context, mintage figures, surviving examples, and numismatic interest. However, several coins stand out as exceptionally rare and valuable based on available information:
- 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin: Considered by some to be the rarest and most valuable US coin, with only one known example currently residing in the National Numismatic Collections at the Smithsonian Institution.
- 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: Although 445,500 were minted, nearly all were melted down due to a change in US currency laws. There are only a few known examples in private hands, making it one of the most valuable coins in the world. One example sold for $18.9 million in 2021.
- 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar: Believed to be one of the first silver dollars minted by the U.S. government, fewer than 1,800 of these were ever produced, with only a small number surviving today. One specimen sold for over $10 million in 2013.
- 1343 Edward III Florin: Also known as the “Double Leopard,” this medieval English coin was introduced in 1344 but withdrawn shortly after. Only three of these coins are known to exist.
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Only five of these coins were ever made, and their existence was unauthorized by the US Mint. This makes them incredibly rare and highly sought after by collectors. One sold for $4.56 million in 2018.
- 1822 Half Eagle Gold Coin: With approximately 17,800 minted, only three are believed to exist today. Two are in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.
In addition to these, many other coins are extremely rare and valuable, including the 1804 Draped Bust Dollar , the 1787 Brasher Doubloon , the 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar , and the 2007 Canadian Gold Maple Leaf . The specific rarity and value of any given coin depend on its individual characteristics, historical significance, and condition.
