Based on currently available information, the 1933 Double Eagle is considered the rarest and most valuable coin ever sold. While nearly half a million of these $20 gold coins were minted, almost all were melted down due to the United States abandoning the gold standard. This makes finding a genuine 1933 Double Eagle an incredibly rare occurrence, as the United States government considers them stolen property and therefore illegal to own.
However, one exception is known to exist: a single 1933 Double Eagle was legally sanctioned for private ownership after decades of lawsuits. This coin sold at auction in 2021 for a staggering $18.9 million, making it the most expensive coin ever sold. Two other known examples are housed in the U.S. National Numismatic Collection, while ten more are located at the Fort Knox Bullion Depository.
What is the rarest coin ever found?
Thanks for asking. 1. 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin. With just one coin currently in existence, the gold 1849 Double Eagle is considered the rarest and most valuable coin in US history.