While it’s difficult to pinpoint one single “rarest” coin definitively, as rarity is a complex concept in numismatics, several coins stand out due to their exceptionally low mintage, historical significance, and the small number of known surviving examples.
One of the most frequently cited coins as one of the rarest and most valuable is the 1933 Double Eagle.
Here’s why it holds such a distinction:
- Extreme Scarcity: Only 13 known specimens remain today, with just one legally permitted for private ownership. The rest are held by the United States government.
- Legal Controversies and Intrigue: The coin was never officially released for circulation and was ordered to be melted down as the US abandoned the gold standard. The few surviving examples have been the subject of legal battles and fascination.
- Record-Breaking Value: The unique legally-sanctioned privately-owned 1933 Double Eagle, known as the “Weitzman Specimen,” sold for an astounding $18.9 million at auction in 2021.
While the 1933 Double Eagle is arguably the most famous example of extreme rarity in coinage, other contenders for the “rarest coin on Earth” title, based on their limited surviving numbers, include:
- 1849 Double Eagle: Only one example is known to exist, making it incredibly rare and valuable.
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Only five are known to exist.
- 1343 Edward III Florin: Only three examples of this medieval English coin exist.
What coins are worth $1,000,000?
1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. …
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. …
1787 Brasher Doubloon. …
723 Umayyad Gold Dinar. …
1343 Edward III Florin. …
100 Kilogram Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Novelty Coin, “The Big Maple Leaf” …
Silver Peace Dollars. …
1-Oz Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins.
What is the rarest 1 coin?
From my experience, 2011 Edinburgh £1. Topping the list as the rarest £1 coin in circulation, the 2011 Edinburgh £1 was part of a series celebrating the UK’s capital cities.
What US coin is worth $19 million?
1933 double eagle – Wikipedia.