The most valuable U.S. coin ever sold is the 1933 Double Eagle , which fetched a staggering $18.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2021.
This coin holds such a high value due to a fascinating and controversial history. While nearly half a million 1933 Double Eagles were initially minted, the vast majority were ordered to be melted down when the United States abandoned the gold standard. However, a handful mysteriously escaped this fate, leading to decades of legal battles regarding their ownership. The coin sold in 2021 is notably the only one legally allowed for private ownership, further solidifying its allure and value among collectors.
While the 1933 Double Eagle holds the record for the most expensive U.S. coin sold, other exceptionally valuable American coins include:
- The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar : Considered to be the first silver dollar issued by the U.S. federal government, one specimen sold for $12 million in 2022.
- The 1787 Brasher Doubloon : Minted privately by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher before the establishment of the U.S. Mint, one specimen sold for $9.36 million in 2021.
- The 1822 Half Eagle : Only three of these $5 gold coins are known to exist, with one selling for $8.4 million in 2021.
- The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel : Only five of these were ever produced, with one selling for $4.2 million in 2022.
Ultimately, the value of a coin is determined by a combination of its rarity, historical significance, condition, and market demand.
What American coins are worth the most money?
When it comes to valuable coins, nothing compares to the 1933 Double Eagle. The Double Eagle, the last gold currency struck in the U.S., sold for a whopping $18.9 million in 2021. First minted in 1907, the coin features an image of Lady Liberty on its obverse and an eagle in flight on the reverse, Smithsonian reported.
What is the most sought after $1 coin?
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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.