10 Most Valuable Coins Ever Discovered: Unbelievable Finds – Numismatics, or the collecting of coins, can be a pastime or an investment. Certain gold and silver coins have values that can be extremely high or low. The world’s rarest and most valuable coins are showcased in this list of 10.
10 Most Valuable Coins Ever Discovered: Unbelievable Finds
1. 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin
The gold 1849 Double Eagle coin is thought to be the rarest and most valuable coin in US history, and there is now just one in existence. The coin, which was produced in 1850 but is marked with the year 1849, is one of only two trial pieces that identified the era of the $20 coins, often known as Double Eagles. The coin’s manufacture also happened to coincide with the beginning of the California gold rush.
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collections is home to the last surviving specimen, which is being meticulously conserved. With an estimated worth of $20 million, the 1849 Double Eagle is currently the rarest and most valuable coin in the world.
2. Silver Flowing Hair Dollar
The Flowing Hair dollar silver coin was produced in 1794 and was the first dollar coin ever issued by the federal government of the United States.
Robert Scot created the currency, which was purposefully made to resemble the Spanish dollar, a common coin at the period, in both weight and size. The currency, which was 90% silver and 10% copper, had an eagle on one side and a bust of Lady Liberty on the other. Although this piece was out of circulation the next year, many collectors still prize it for its historical relevance and contemporary scarcity.
A 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar specimen brought a then-record $10 million at auction in 2013.
3. 1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin
The United States began minting the Double Eagle gold coin in 1933. Over 400,000 pieces of the currency were made, however later that year it was taken out of circulation.
Even though a sizable quantity of coins were made, very few were actually used in circulation; instead, the great majority were melted down, and a small number were also taken and later acquired by collectors. After being found, some of the pilfered coins were destroyed. Thus, it is estimated that there are currently fewer than 15 pieces, one of which fetched an incredible $7.59 million at auction in 2002.
Ten remarkable coins are presently kept in Fort Knox, while two more are kept at the U.S. National Numismatic Collection.
4. 1787 Brasher Gold Doubloon
Ephraim Brasher, a goldsmith, was the creator of the 1787 “Brasher” Doubloon Gold Coin. After the State of New York legislature rejected Brasher’s request to manufacture new copper coins, he created this gold coin on his own initiative and in addition to copper coins.
There are several variations, all of which have Brasher’s signature. One coin with the eagle’s breast hallmark sold for an incredible $7.4 million in 2011, while another coin with the same markings brought in £4.5 million only three years later. Only a few of these coins remain in circulation today.
5. 2007 ‘Big Maple Leaf’ 100kg Gold Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint struck six record-breaking 100kg Queen Elizabeth II Maple Leaf coins in 2007, the first coin to have a face value of $1,000,000.
These enormous coins were made to highlight the new edition Canadian Maple Leaf gold coins, which feature a picture of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and three maple leaves on the reverse.
6. 1804 Silver Dollar
This Silver Dollar was not produced until the 1830s, despite its name suggesting that it was in circulation in 1804.
During Edmund Roberts’ diplomatic endeavors, the dollar coin of 1804 was minted as a gift for Siam and Muscat. There are only 15 coins overall that are thought to exist, and they can be divided into three different classes.
These items are thought to be the most precious in the Class I division; in 1999, a piece that belonged to the Sultan of Muscat sold for $4.1 million.
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7. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
The Liberty Head Nickel was initially issued in 1913 and carried a face value of just 5 cents. An unusual one for this list, as although it is one of the most valuable coins ever sold at an auction, it also holds the title of the ‘most valuable non-precious metal coin’.
The coin was created without being approved by the US Mint, and only a very small number made it through the production process. In fact, their existence wasn’t even widely known until 1920, as they were all owned by former US Mint worker Samuel Brown.
In 1972, one of these limited-edition Liberty Nickels went on to become the very first coin to achieve a sale value of USD $100,000. Only five of these coins are thought to be around today, with one selling for an incredible $3.7 million in 2010.
8. 1822 Half Eagle Gold Coin
The 1822 Half Eagle gold coin is currently one of the rarest coins in existence. Released with a $5 denomination by the U.S. Mint, the eagle design was created by John Reich.
Approximately 17,800 pieces of the 1822 coin were made, yet only three are still believed to exist today. Two of them are currently located at the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution. The remaining Half Eagle coin was sold for almost USD $700,000 back in 1982.
9. 1907 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (High Relief)
Released in 1907 with a face value of $20, this gold coin was designed by famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. However, the high relief strike of the coin made it difficult to be struck meaning less than 30 pieces were produced. The coin’s design was subsequently modified on several occasions and it continued to circulate until 1933.
Two coins featuring the 1907 high relief design are housed in the Smithsonian museum, while another was sold at an auction in 2005 for almost $3 million.
10. 1344 Edward III Gold Florin
King Edward III unveiled the Gold Florin currency, often known as the “Double Leopard,” in 1344. It was supposed to be legal money across Europe, with a face value of only 6 shillings, but it was taken out of circulation in a matter of months.
The coin’s design showed the King sitting on his throne with a leopard’s head to his left and right, and the Royal Cross on the reverse.
There are only three of these coins that are known to exist, making it the rarest coin in British numismatic history. One is privately held and was acquired in July 2006 through an auction; the purchase price of this 1344 Edward III Florin being £460,000: a record price for a coin of British origin. The other two are currently exhibited in the British Museum.
