There’s a spirited debate amongst coin collectors and experts about which coin is truly the “most rarest,” but a few coins consistently stand out at the top of the list for both scarcity and value:
- 1933 Double Eagle: This coin holds the record as the most expensive coin ever sold at auction, fetching nearly $18.9 million in 2021. Originally, 445,500 of these $20 gold coins were minted, but nearly all were melted down due to a change in US gold policy during the Great Depression. Only 13 are known to exist today, and only one is legally owned by a private collector, making it a truly exceptional piece.
- 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar: This was likely the first silver dollar ever minted by the United States Mint and holds immense historical significance. There were fewer than 1,800 produced, and estimates suggest only between 120 and 130 remain today, [according to Bankrate] . One of these sold for $12 million in 2022. Another specimen, the Neil-Carter coin, is the only one designated as “Specimen,” reflecting its superior quality and detail.
- 1787 Brasher Doubloon: These coins were privately struck by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher before the establishment of the US Mint. Only a handful exist today, with some featuring Brasher’s distinctive “EB” hallmark on the eagle’s breast and others on the wing. One version with the “EB” on the breast sold for $7.4 million in 2011, and another with the “EB” on the wing sold for over $5 million in 2018. A different example of the doubloon sold for a record $9.36 million in 2021.
- 1343 Edward III Florin: This medieval English gold coin, also known as the “Double Leopard,” was issued for a short time and is incredibly rare, with only three known examples in existence. Two are housed in the British Museum, and the third, found in 2006, sold for £480,000 (around $850,000 at the time). It is now valued at approximately $6.8 million.
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: This coin was illicitly minted, with only five known examples. Its existence was not even widely known until 1920, and it has since appeared in movies and television. One sold for $4.56 million in 2018.
These coins represent a combination of rarity, historical significance, and intriguing backstories that contribute to their extraordinary value.
What coin is worth $1,000,000?
Great question! The 100-kilogram (220-pound) Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is a novelty coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint with a face value of $1 million. Made of 99.999% pure gold, this monolithic coin features the iconic maple leaf design on the reverse and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
What coin is worth $40,000?
Thanks for asking. 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.