When talking about the rarest American coins, several possibilities emerge, depending on the specific criteria considered (like being officially minted or in private hands).
Here are a few strong contenders for the title of “rarest American coin”:
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Only five of these were ever minted, making it exceptionally rare. The existence of these nickels was initially unauthorized by the US Mint, adding to their intrigue and value to collectors. One example, known as the Eliasberg specimen, was sold in 2007 for $5 million.
- 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin: Considered the rarest and most valuable US coin, with only a single known example currently existing. It’s preserved in the National Numismatic Collections at the Smithsonian Institution. This coin is a trial piece marking the beginning of the $20 coin era, according to atkinsonsbullion.com.
- 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar: This is believed to be the first silver dollar minted by the United States Mint. Out of an original mintage of 1,758 coins, only about 135 to 150 are estimated to have survived. This limited mintage and survival rate significantly contribute to its high value, [says Austin Rare Coins] . One specimen of this coin sold at auction for over $10 million.
- 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: Though thousands were originally minted, almost all were melted down following the 1934 Gold Reserve Act. Only 13 are known to remain, with 12 held by the US government and one legally available for private ownership. The single privately-owned 1933 Double Eagle sold for $18.9 million in 2021, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a coin.
In conclusion, while the 1933 Double Eagle holds the record for the highest price ever paid, the 1849 Double Eagle is generally considered the rarest, due to the existence of only a single piece, currently housed in the Smithsonian.
What coin is worth $40,000?
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 is the holy grail of American coins?
From my experience, The Holy Grail of American Numismatics
In the world of coin collecting, rarity and condition are important but story is everything. The 1933 Double Eagle has it all: a stunning design, historical significance, extreme scarcity, and a backstory filled with intrigue.
What US coin is worth $19 million?
I can help with that. 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.