Rare Coins
Some collectible coins can be worth millions of dollars.
We invite you to discover the 10 of the rarest silver and gold coins in the world:
1 – 20 $ Double Eagle (1849) – 20 million $
During the early days of the California Gold Rush, the United States Mint or United States Mint struck this gold coin at its Philadelphia mint. It has a face value of 20 $. The first 20 dollar Double Eagle gold coin from 1849 is now at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Museum.
2 – 15 $ Half Union (1877) – 15 million $
This is a 15 $ gold coin. Models J-1546 and J-1548 can be found at the Smithsonian.
3 – 20 $ Saint Gaudens (1907) – 8,5 million $
This is a 20 dollar gold coin from 1907 engraved by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in very high relief, with double thickness.
The Smithsonian institute owns two examples.
4 – Silver Dollar (1794) – $7,850,000
This coin dates from 1794. It is considered the first silver dollar struck by the United States Mint. Also known as the Flowing Hair Dollar, it is the most expensive coin held by a private collector. It is considered extremely rare and even a true national treasure.
5 – 20 Double Eagle (1933) – 7,59 Million $
This 1933 coin is a gold coin struck in 445,500 copies, yet it was never put into circulation. A large portion was actually melted down by government decision. A few examples were saved and exploited. It was sold for $7.59 million at auction in the early 2000s.
6 – Silver Dollar (1804) – 7,5 million $
This coin is known to have been offered to the Sultan of Muscat in 1836 as a diplomatic gift by the American ambassador and President Andrew Jackson.
7 – 5 $ HALF EAGLE (1822) – 6 million $
This rare gold coin has a face value of $5. 17,796 coins like this were struck, but only three specimens are known in the numismatic world. Two of the three are displayed in the collection of the Smithsonian Institute.
8 – 5¢ Liberty Head (1913) – 4,5 million $
This 5 cent coin issued in 1913 was produced in limited quantities without the authorization and approval of the United States Mint.
Since then, only five Liberty Head coins have been recognized as authentic, two of which are displayed in a museum and the other three belong to private collectors.
9 – Queen Elizabeth II Million Dollar Coin (2007) – 4 Million $
This gold coin was struck by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007. Its rarity is due to its composition of pure gold (999.99‰) and its incredible weight of 100 kilograms with a diameter of 53 centimeters. It features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II, making it the largest official portrait of the monarch on solid gold.
10 - The Brasher Doubloon USA (from 1787) - $2,415,000
This gold coin created by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher depicts an eagle with his creator's initials on its wings. Its value is due to it being considered the first American coin.
