It’s challenging to pinpoint the single rarest coin, as rarity can be influenced by multiple factors. Several coins stand out due to their extreme scarcity and desirability among collectors:
- 1933 Double Eagle: While over 400,000 of these were originally minted, they were never officially released due to the United States abandoning the gold standard. Most were melted down, and only a very small number, believed to be around 13, are known to exist today. One of these coins sold at auction for a record-breaking $18.9 million, making it the most expensive coin ever sold.
- 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin: Considered the rarest and most valuable US coin with only a single known example, preserved in the Smithsonian Institution. Its value is estimated at around $20 million.
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Only five of these were ever produced, reportedly without authorization from the US Mint. One sold for over $4.5 million at auction.
- 1343 Edward III Gold Florin: Also known as the “Double Leopard”, only three of these medieval English coins are known to exist, making it extremely rare in British numismatics.
- 1787 Brasher Doubloon: Struck by Ephraim Brasher before the establishment of the US Mint, there are only a handful of these gold coins left in existence. One sold for $9.36 million at auction.
- 1822 Half Eagle Gold Coin: A rare US gold coin with only three believed to exist, two of which are housed at the Smithsonian Institution. The remaining coin sold for a significant amount decades ago.
- 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar: This ancient Islamic coin is highly sought after by collectors, with only about a dozen remaining. Its value is over $6 million.
It’s important to remember that the definition of “rarest” can be subjective and may depend on factors beyond just the number of known examples. Some coins might be technically rarer but not as valuable or well-known due to a lack of historical significance or collector interest.
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.