The 1933 Double Eagle holds the record for the most expensive coin ever sold at auction, reaching a staggering price of $18.9 million in 2021.
This coin’s exceptional value stems from several factors:
- Extreme Rarity: Although over 400,000 were originally minted, none were officially released into circulation due to the US abandoning the gold standard. The vast majority were melted down, and it is believed less than 15 pieces remain, [according to Wikipedia].
- Legal Controversy: For decades, owning a 1933 Double Eagle was illegal. The specimen that sold for the record price is the only one legally available for private ownership, solidifying its unique appeal to collectors.
- Historical Significance: The coin represents a pivotal moment in US monetary history when the nation moved away from the gold standard.
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 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.