The World’s Most Expensive Coin
Coin collectors are always on the hunt for treasures that combine history, rarity, and value. Among all rare coins, none capture the imagination quite like the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – widely regarded as the most expensive coin in the world.
A Record-Breaking Auction for the most expensive coin in the world
On June 8, 2021, Sotheby’s auction house sold the 1933 Double Eagle for an incredible $18,872,250 (approx. £13.5 million), setting the record for the highest price ever paid for a coin. To put that in perspective, the same coin fetched $7.59 million (approx. £5.4 million) back in 2002 – proving how highly collectors prize it.
Want to see the story come alive? Don’t miss our exclusive video all about the 1933 Double Eagle (Play Below)
Why Is the 1933 Double Eagle So Valuable?
Collectors search for this coin not just because it’s rare, but because its story is one of intrigue and historical significance:
- Minted but Melted: 445,500 Double Eagles were struck in 1933, but nearly all were melted down when President Franklin D. Roosevelt ended the gold standard.
- Not Meant for Circulation: The U.S. Treasury never officially released them, which makes any surviving example extraordinarily rare.
- The King Farouk Connection: One coin was legally exported to Egypt’s King Farouk, fueling decades of legal battles and intrigue.
- The Only Legal Example: Today, just one coin is privately owned – the same one that set the world record.
For coin enthusiasts, the most expensive coin in the world holds the ultimate blend of rarity, beauty, and backstory.
Other Coins Worth Millions
Although the Double Eagle holds the crown, these coins also draw global attention:
- 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar – Sold for about $12 million (approx. £8.6 million), believed to be the first U.S. silver dollar ever struck.
- 1787 Brasher Doubloon (EB on Wing) – Brought $9.36 million (approx. £6.7 million) in 2021, designed by famed silversmith Ephraim Brasher.
- 1822 Half Eagle – One of just three surviving, auctioned for $8.4 million (approx. £6 million).
- 1343 Edward III Florin – A medieval rarity valued at around $6.8 million (approx. £4.9 million).
Each of these coins proves that collectors are willing to pay extraordinary sums for history in their hands.
The Legacy of the World’s Most Expensive Coin
The 1933 Double Eagle is more than gold – it’s a symbol of America’s past, the Great Depression, and the transition away from the gold standard. Its journey includes politics, royalty, and legal drama, making it the ultimate coin collector’s dream.
For numismatists, it’s a reminder that behind every coin lies a story. Sometimes that story is worth nearly $19 million.
If this story has sparked your passion for collecting, we invite you to browse our website for the latest new coins, collectables, and stamps available today. Your next treasure might just be waiting for you.
