Identifying a definitive single “rarest” coin in the United States is challenging because rarity can be measured in various ways, such as mintage figures, surviving examples, and value. However, several coins consistently rank among the rarest and most valuable American coins:
1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel:
- Only five examples of this coin are known to exist.
- It was never officially released for circulation and its origins remain somewhat mysterious.
- Each of the five coins has been given nicknames based on the collectors who owned them: the Norweb, Eliasberg, Olsen, Walton, and McDermott.
- One of these nickels, the Walton specimen, sold for $4.2 million in 2022.
2. 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar:
- These coins were minted starting in the 1830s, despite the date.
- They were primarily created as diplomatic gifts for foreign dignitaries.
- There are only 15 known specimens across three classes (Class I, II, and III).
- A Class I specimen (PCGS PF68) sold for $7.68 million in 2021.
3. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar:
- This was the first silver dollar issued by the United States government.
- An estimated 120-130 specimens survive today.
- One example, believed to be the first struck, sold for over $10 million in 2013.
4. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle:
- Over 400,000 were minted, but nearly all were ordered melted down due to the Gold Reserve Act of 1933.
- Only a few legally owned examples exist, with the most recent sale (June 2021) setting a record of $18,872,250.
- There are 12 other known examples in US government custody (including two at the Smithsonian Institution and ten at Fort Knox) that are illegal to privately own.
5. 1787 Brasher Doubloon:
- These gold coins were privately minted by Ephraim Brasher, a New York City goldsmith, before the official US Mint was established.
- One specimen with Brasher’s signature “EB” on the breast of the eagle sold for nearly $7.4 million in 2011.
- In January 2021, another Brasher Doubloon set a record of $9.36 million.
These coins represent some of the rarest and most valuable examples in American numismatic history. Proper authentication by reputable grading services like PCGS or NGC is essential to avoid counterfeits.
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.
What coin is worth $40,000?
Great question! 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 $1 coin is worth the most money?
Flowing Hair Dollar.
1804 Dollar.
Trade Dollar.
Morgan Silver Dollar.
Seated Liberty Dollar.