The value of a 1933 Double Eagle gold coin is exceptionally high due to its unique history and rarity.
Here’s why it’s so valuable:
- Historical Significance and Rarity:
– In 1933, the U.S. Mint produced 445,500 Double Eagle coins.
– However, due to President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 6102 and the Gold Reserve Act of 1934, which effectively took the U.S. off the gold standard, these coins were never officially circulated.
– Almost all of them were ordered to be melted down.
– Only a very small number managed to escape the melting pot, making them incredibly rare.
- Controversy and Legal Battles:
– The coins that escaped the melting were considered stolen government property, leading to decades of legal battles and Secret Service investigations.
– Of the 13 known specimens remaining, only one is legally authorized for private ownership – the Weitzman Specimen.
- Record-Breaking Auction Prices:
– The Weitzman Specimen was sold at auction in 2002 for $7.59 million, [making it the second-highest price paid for a single U.S. coin].
– In June 2021, it was resold for a record-shattering $18.9 million, making it the most expensive coin ever sold.
The value of a genuine 1933 Double Eagle is astronomical, particularly for the one specimen that is legally owned privately, which has broken auction records. It’s crucial to understand the unique legal status and history surrounding these coins when discussing their value.
There are various tribute coins and replicas available that are not genuine 1933 Double Eagles and have significantly lower values.
How much is a 1933 double eagle worth today?
I can help with that. The 1933 double equal $20 gold piece and it was auctioned. Off in 2021 for almost $19. Million the double eagle has just become available on the market.
Why is it illegal to own a $20 gold piece from 1933?
For example, the 1933 Double Eagle gold coin, minted but never legally circulated, is considered government property and therefore illegal to own. In fact, owning one of these rare $20 coins today is not just illegal but may result in confiscation.
How many 1933 gold double eagles exist?
Great question! 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.