People have been collecting coins (occasionally referred to as the Hobby of Kings) for more than 2,000 years. Collecting coins is a branch of science known as numismatics. Over the course of thousands of years, a variety of coins have held the coveted position as the most valuable in existence. Today though, experts largely agree that certain coins are more valuable than others. Here’s a look at the 10 most valuable coins in the world, today.
1933 Gold Double Eagle
Illegal to own, the 1933 Golden Double Eagle gold coin has a fascinating history. Amid the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order recalling all gold coins from the public. He further ordered the mint to melt all $20 gold pieces it held in its vaults. The mint complied, but a handful of these coin pieces were never melted. One of these gold Double Eagle coins owned by King Farouk of Egypt was eventually made legal after a drawn-out legal battle. The only legal Double Eagle Gold coin sold at auction for nearly $19 Million, making it the most valuable coin ever sold.
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
Taking another one of the top spots as one of the most expensive coins ever sold, the 1794/95 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is believed by some experts to be the first silver dollar ever struck by the U.S. Mint. Less than 1800 Flowing Hair Silver Dollars were minted, making this an exceedingly rare coin. The front of the coin features Lady Liberty, complete with flowing hair. The reverse features an American Eagle. So just how valuable is this coin? In 2013, it sold at auction for more than $10 Million.
1787 Brasher Doubloon
SEphraim Brasher, a talented goldsmith and silversmith tried to convince the State of New York to use coins made from copper instead of gold in the mid-1780s. The State of New York was not interested. Brasher minted his own coins in 1787, anyway. Featuring a rising sun on one side, and the American Eagle and a shield on the other, the rare coin has sold at auction for as much as $9.36 Million.
1804 Silver Dollar
The 1804 Silver Dollar is known as the King of American Coins, though they were actually minted in 1834 at the request of President Andrew Jackson. He intended to use them as diplomatic gifts. Featuring a bust of Lady Liberty on one side, and an eagle with 13 stars (representing the 13 original colonies) on the reverse, the coin fetched nearly $8 Million at auction in 2021.
1343 Edward III Florin
The 1343 Edward III Florin features King Edward on his throne flanked by the heads of leopards. Not surprisingly, the coin is also referred to by experts as the Double Leopard. The Royal Cross appears on the reverse side. Although the coin only fetched about $850,000 at auction in 2006, today it is valued at more than $6.5 Million.
723 Umayyad Gold Dinar
Stuck from gold, there are only about a dozen 723 Umayyad gold dinar in existence. It is one of the most prized Islamic coins in part because it includes reference to a location in Saudi Arabia. In 2011, it became one of the most expensive coins ever sold at auction, when a buyer scooped it up for approximately $6 Million. Since then others have sold for nearly $5 Million.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
The U.S. mint reported only struck five Liberty nickel coins in 1913, making it one of the rarest coins in the world. The nickels have sold for as much as $5 Million.
2007 $1 Million Gold Canadian Maple Leaf
The Royal Canadian Mint produced the first million-dollar coin in 2007. As novelty coin, it is more than 1 inch thick, and more than 20 inches in diameter. It is made of 99.999% gold and weighs more than 200 pounds. Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest gold coin, it features Queen Elizabeth on the front. The reverse features a Canadian Maple leaf. Although only six have been minted, one sold at auction in 2010 for more than $4 Million.
1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny
It is estimated that no more than 40 Lincoln Head Copper Pennies minted in 1943 still exist. This coin is rare because it was never supposed to be made from copper. In 1943, the U.S. needed the copper and nickel used to make the coins for war materials. As an alternative to copper, the U.S. mint began using steel. However, a single small batch was accidentally struck using copper. In 2010, a 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny commanded a sales price of $1.75 Million at auction.
1894-S Barber Dime
Only 24 of these valuable coins were minted in San Francisco, and only 9 are known to exist today. Rumored to have been minted as gifts for prominent U.S. bankers, these coins were originally worth ten cents. However in 2016, one of these incredibly rare coins was sold for nearly $2 Million.
Start a Coin Collection Today
If you’re interested in beginning your own https://www.covinacoin.com/coins/coin collection, rest assured, you don’t need to spend millions. There are a variety of collectible coins you can start amassing, without breaking the bank. A few great coins that are less than $100 that you can begin collecting include:
- Lincoln Wheat Pennies (1909-1958)
- Jefferson Nickels (1942-1945)
- U.S. State Quarters (1999-2019)
- Susan B. Anthony Dollars (1979-1991, 1999)
Shop for Coins for Your Collection in Covina
With more than 50 years in the coin and currency business Covina Coin & Jewelry is an NGC authorized dealer, and a PCGS authorized dealer. We are here to help you grow your coin collection, by specializing in valuable, rare and unique coins, gold, silver, currency, jewelry, and collectibles Covina Coin & Jewelry is located on S. Citrus Avenue in Covina, CA. For your convenience, Covina Coin & Jewelry is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. We are available for appointments on Saturday. As a leading coin and gold dealer in Southern California, we are convenient to Glendora, West Covina, Pasadena, San Dimas Arcadia and surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more.