Coins worth more than gold: The world's priciest treasures
Not every coin is worth its face value. Its value is determined by the metal it is made from, its history, and its uniqueness. Here are the most expensive coins in the world.
Collectors are willing to pay millions of dollars to expand their collections with unique coins. In 2021, the most expensive coin in the world became the gold "Double Eagle," minted by the US Mint in 1933. The coin was sold for $18.87 million.
Double Eagle — $18.87 million
According to President Roosevelt's decree prohibiting the hoarding of gold, the entire issue of this coin was destroyed. The only specimen that was ever legally privately owned belonged, among others, to King Farouk of Egypt. Hence, the enormous value of this unique coin.
The Flowing Hair Dollar — $12 million
The extremely rare Flowing Hair Dollar was minted in 1794. According to numismaticnews.net, it is widely considered the first silver dollar minted by the United States. It features symbols of the country—the so-called Liberty Lady and the American eagle among olive branches. In 2013, the coin was sold for $12 million.
The Brasher Doubloon — $9.4 million
The Brasher Doubloon was auctioned in the United States for $9.4 million. It originates from the end of the 18th century and has been among the most sought-after coins in the American numismatic market for over 100 years. On January 21, 2021, the object found a buyer through a phone call. However, the identity of the new owner was not disclosed.
This coin is commonly considered the oldest gold coin produced in the USA, but it was not issued by the American government. As a result, it never constituted legal tender in the United States or any other country. Its creator was Ephraim Brasher, who marked his coins with his initials.
Half Eagle — $8.4 million
The American five-dollar coin (Half Eagle) from 1822 was sold for $8.4 million at an auction in Las Vegas. It is the first gold coin minted by the US government. Half Eagle coins were circulated in the USA from 1795 to 1929.
The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle — $7.6 million
The American gold coin with a face value of $20 was designed by American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Today, there are only three confirmed authentic specimens from 1933 in global collections.
Two are owned by the US government, and the third is in the hands of a private investor. This specimen was auctioned at Sotheby's in 2002 and was sold for $7.6 million. The buyer remained anonymous.
Edward III Florin — $6.8 million
Another highly valued coin by collectors is the Edward III Florin, minted in 1344. The coin is made of almost pure gold. Only three specimens have survived. Two were discovered in 1857 and are currently in the collection of the British Museum. The third specimen was found in 2006 and was auctioned by the Spink auction house, where it was sold for $6.8 million.
Liberty Head Nickel — $3.7 million
The five-cent coin was designed by Charles Barber in 1883 and was officially minted until 1912. However, a batch of counterfeit specimens from 1913 appeared. To date, only five of these coins have been found, giving the Liberty Head Nickel its status as an unauthentic yet incredibly valuable specimen. In 2010, one of these counterfeits was auctioned in Florida, where it sold for over $3.7 million.
