Rare US Coins &

Most Valuable US Coins Sold At Auction

The following nine coins are among the greatest rarities of U.S. coinage that have traded hands in private sales. They are also the most valuable US coins ever sold at auction:

1933 Double Eagle PCGS MS-65 CAC:

The first coin to ever sell for more than $5 million is one of the surviving examples of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, which sold in July 2002 to an anonymous buyer for $7,370,000. That coin, which is one of 13 known examples that still exist is the only one that is legal to own and was originally part of the collection of Egyptian King Farouk and later was acquired by a British dealer. On June 8, 2021, this example set a new world record price for a coin sold at auction of $18,900,000.

The other 12 examples include two at the Smithsonian and ten others confiscated in 2010 by the U.S. government from the heirs of Israel Switt that are reportedly stored at Fort Knox. All other examples of the coin were reportedly melted in 1933 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared it illegal for American citizens to own all but a small quantity of gold.

1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar PCGS SP-66 CAC:

This coin is widely considered by experts to be the first example struck of the first American silver dollar. It brought $10,016,875 on January 22, 2013.

The coin is one of the 130 surviving examples from the 1,758 struck and not melted due to poor quality on October 15, 1794. It is believed that these coins were made to give as gifts to VIPs to show them that the U.S. Mint was moving forward with the creation of a monetary system based on the dollar. The second-finest examples that is graded PCGS MS66+ sold in 2015 for $4,993,750. In 2021, the same coin sold for $6.6 million.

Later this year the U.S. Mint plans to issue tributes to this coin in gold and silver.

1787 Brasher Doubloon (EB on wing) NGC MS-65 CAC:

Five years before the U.S. Mint began operations in 1797, a Philadelphia goldsmith named Ephraim Brasher, who was George Washington’s next-door neighbor, minted the first gold coins ever made in the U.S. Of the 7 coins he struck, which contained 26.66 grams of gold, six had an EB punch-mark on the wing of the eagle on the reverse, while just one had the punch-mark of the eagle’s breast. Although it does not have a face value, it was valued at $15 at the time.

The one stamped on the breast that is graded AU-50 sold in December 2011 for $7.4 million. The finest graded example of the former type that is graded NGC MS65 CAC was sold in January 2021 for $9,360,000.

1822 Half Eagle PCGS AU-50:

This is the rarest U.S. gold coin and the lynchpin of a complete collection of U.S. coins. With only 3 known examples, two of them are part of the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution, which means there is just one that will ever be in private hands.

Prior to the sale of that example in March 2021 for $8.4 million, this coin -- an AU-50 which is the finest quality specimen of the three in existence -- was only sold twice at auction in 1906 and then in 1982. It haswas only part of three other collections before being acquired by the current owner.

1804 silver dollar PCGS PF-68:

Until the 2002 sale of a 1933 Double Eagle for $7,590,020, the 1804 silver dollar was the most valuable American coin. The 15 known examples of the coin were not made in 1804 but in 1834 or 1835 at the request of President Andrew Jackson for use as gifts to foreign dignitaries in special proof sets during overseas State Department trade missions.

The coin was first discovered by numismatists in 1842, and several restrikes were secretly later made by Mint officials due to high demand for the coin at the time. Those first restrikes lack the correct edge lettering, but some additional restrikes were made after that which have the correct edge lettering. The originals are known as Class I of which 8 examples exist, while the two restrike versions are known as Class II and III. Only one of the second type still exists as the others were recalled and destroyed, and six examples exist of the third type. Only the Smithsonian has examples of all three types of the coin.

In 2013 a Class I 1804 dollar sold at auction for $3,877,500. Another Class I example brought over $4 million in 1999. In March 2021, a Class 1 dollar graded PCGS PF-68 sold for $7,680,000.

1861 Paquet Double Eagle PCGS MS-67 CAC:

This coin appears to look like other Liberty double eagles except that the reverse side includes certain modifications such as to the stars and other details that were done by Assistant Mint Engraver Anthony Paquet in 1860. It is the rarest of all gold double eagles with just two known examples. The finest example of it, which graded PCGS MS-67 CAC, sold at auction in August 2021 for $7,200,000.

This super-rare coin used to be considered a pattern coin or an experimental issue, but it is now considered to be a regular issue coin made for circulation. The changes Paquet made to the reverse of the standard double eagle that was in production at the time including such changes in the sizing and positioning of inscriptions that resulted in taller and thinner lettering on his reverse, which was adopted in late 1860 as the standard design starting with the 1861 coin.

There had been concerns that the wider fields and narrower rim of the modified reverse would cause problems for the dies, but they actually held up well. Nonetheless, Mint Director recalled the 1861double eagles and ordered them melted. All but a but a few 1861 double eagles were destroyed.

Orders were also sent to destroy the New Orleans and San Francisco 1861 double eagles. The former were stopped before production began, but because at the time the transcontinental railroad did not yet exist, word did not reach San Francisco in time, and 19,250 1861-S double eagles were made.

1804 Gold Eagle PCGS PF-65+ CAC:

In 1804 the U.S. Mint ceased production of the $10 gold coin, so when President Andrew Jackson wanted to have all the U.S. coins in circulation struck for special proof sets to give as gifts during diplomatic missions in 1834-1835, the Mint combined dies from 1804 with minting technology of the 1830s. Six $10 gold proof coins were reportedly produced for this purpose of which 3 are known to still exist with one on loan to the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum and two in private hands. Of those two, one that graded PCGS PF-65+ CAC sold for $5,280,000 in 2021.

1913 Liberty nickel PCGS PF-66 CAC: The Mint’s records do not show any Liberty Head nickels issued the year when they began issuing Buffalo nickels. But Samuel Brown, who served as Clerk of the Mint from 1912 to 1913, advertised to buy the coins a couple years later for $500 each, and then in 1920 displayed one or more of them at an ANA annual convention. He was known to have owned all five examples, which later traded hands numerous times and continued to increase in value over time. There are many theories about how the coins came about.

The five known 1913 Liberty nickels are: the one which sold in 2007 to a private collector for $5 million; the most famous example once owned by King Farouk of Egypt, which sold in 2010 for $3,737,500 to a private collector; the example that today resides in the Smithsonian; the that sold in 2013 for $3,172,500; and the one that was donated to the ANA Money Museum in 1989.

1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle PCGS PR-68 CAC: 

To appreciate the fabulous Double Eagle design by sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens one must see one of the 15-20 known examples of the coin struck in Ultra High Relief in 1907. That coin was an experimental strike made to see if it would be possible to produce the coin with the high level of relief the artists wanted it to have on a mass scale, which Charles Barber, the Mint’s Chief Engraver of the time believed would be impractical to make because of the multiple strikes of the coin press that would be required. 24 of these pieces were made, including one given to President Teddy Roosevelt so he could give it to his daughter for her wedding, and they each required nine strikes for all the sculpted details to appear.

15 of these coins have been certified, and one of the finest-known, a PCGS Proof-69, sold in 2005 for $2,990,900. An example that graded PCGS Proof-68 CAC sold in December 2021 for $4,750,000.

FAQ

1. What is the most expensive U.S. coin ever sold at auction? The most expensive U.S. coin ever sold at auction is the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, which fetched $18.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in June 2021. This coin is famous due to its rarity and the intriguing history surrounding its legal status and survival.
2. Why are some U.S. coins sold at auctions so valuable? The value of U.S. coins at auctions can be attributed to several factors including rarity, historical significance, condition (or grade), and demand among collectors. Coins that were produced in very limited quantities or have unique features or errors tend to fetch higher prices.
3. Which rare U.S. coin auctions have broken records in recent years? Besides the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, other record-breaking sales include the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, which sold for $10 million in 2013, making it one of the most valuable silver coins ever sold. Additionally, the 1804 Class I Silver Dollar fetched $7.68 million in 2021.
4. How can collectors find rare U.S. coins for auctions? Collectors can find rare U.S. coins through major auction houses that specialize in numismatics, such as Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers Galleries, and Sotheby’s. Many of these auctions are also accessible online, allowing global participation.
5. What are some tips for bidding on rare U.S. coins at auction? Before bidding, thoroughly research the coin’s history and market value. Attend pre-auction viewings if possible. Set a budget, and consider factors like added fees (buyer’s premium). Stay informed during the auction to respond to competing bids effectively.
6. Can rare U.S. coins lose value after being sold at auction? While rare U.S. coins generally appreciate over time, their market value can fluctuate due to changes in collector interest, market conditions, or discoveries of additional coin specimens, which might affect their rarity and desirability.
7. What are the most sought-after U.S. coins at auctions? Highly sought-after U.S. coins include key-date coins like the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, high-grade examples of classic coins like the Morgan Dollar, and historically significant pieces like the 1776 Continental Dollar.
8. How does the provenance of a coin affect its auction value? Provenance, or the coin’s ownership history, can significantly impact its value, especially if previously owned by a notable collector or part of a famous collection. Documented provenance adds to the coin's appeal and authenticity, potentially increasing its market value.
9. What role do grading and authentication play in the auction value of U.S. coins? Coins graded and authenticated by reputable services such as PCGS or NGC typically command higher prices at auction. Accurate grading ensures buyers about the coin's condition and authenticity, which is critical in determining its value.
10. What future trends are expected for the auction market of rare U.S. coins? The market for rare U.S. coins is expected to remain robust, driven by strong interest from both seasoned collectors and new entrants attracted by the historical and investment value of these coins. Digital platforms and online auctions are likely to play increasingly important roles in reaching a global audience.