The Most Rare Coin in the World: Top 5 Examples Explained

There’s a distinction to be made between the single most valuable coin ever sold and coins that are considered the rarest in terms of scarcity.

The current record holder for the most valuable coin ever sold at auction is the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle , which fetched $18.9 million in 2021. This coin is exceptional because, despite nearly half a million being minted, none were officially circulated due to the U.S. abandoning the gold standard. The majority were melted down, and the 1933 Double Eagle is the only one legally sanctioned for private ownership. The remaining twelve are held by the U.S. Government, with two at the Smithsonian and ten at Fort Knox.

While the 1933 Double Eagle currently holds the price record, several other coins are considered exceptionally rare and valuable, including:

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• 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin: Considered the rarest and most valuable US coin, with only one known to exist, housed in the National Numismatic Collections at the Smithsonian Institution.
• 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar: Believed by some to be the first silver dollar struck by the U.S. Mint, with fewer than 1,800 originally produced and an estimated 120-130 remaining.
• 1787 Brasher Doubloon: A privately minted gold coin from New York, considered one of the earliest American gold coins. Only a couple of these coins are still known to exist.
• 1343 Edward III Florin (Double Leopard): A medieval English gold coin with only three known examples existing. Two are in the British Museum, and the third was discovered by a prospector with a metal detector in 2006.
• 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Only five of these were illicitly minted at the U.S. Mint, defying government records. They are considered extremely rare and valuable.

In conclusion, while the 1933 Double Eagle currently holds the title of the most expensive coin ever sold, several other coins stand out as exceptionally rare due to their limited mintage, unique history, and circumstances of their creation and preservation.