Million Dollar Coins: Top 10 Most Expensive Coins

What if a single coin could buy you a mansion? What if a piece of metal, barely the size of a bottle cap, was worth more than an entire fleet of luxury cars? These are the questions collectors of million dollar coins ask themselves.

The world’s rarest and most valuable coins are far more than just money. They are relics of history, finely crafted pieces of art, and in some cases, even mysterious objects of desire. You may even find yourself asking, Is there a million dollar coin? And what makes these coins worth so much?  And is it possible that after the U.S. Mint bid farewell to pennies they will be even more expensive?

Today, you’ll get a list of 10 most expensive coins that are wanted by many numismatists on the earth. 

1. 1933 Double Eagle – $18.9 Million

The 1933 Double Eagle is the coin of legend. Minted at the height of the Great Depression, it was meant to never see the light of day. Franklin D. Roosevelt had taken the U.S. off the gold standard, and nearly all of the 445,500 Double Eagles struck that year were melted down before they could circulate. But a handful managed to escape the furnace. This led to decades of intrigue, government hunts, and legal battles. 

In 2002, one of these elusive coins was auctioned for a then-world record of $7.6 million. Why is the 7.6-million-dollar double eagle coin so valuable? Because it is very rare and hard to find. But know what? In June 2021 one of the coins was sold at an auction for $18.9 million. 

This coin was designed by famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and is regarded as the most beautiful coin ever minted by the U.S. government. It is made of 90% gold and 10% copper. It weighs 33.4 grams and measures 34mm in diameter. The obverse features a stunning depiction of Lady Liberty striding forward, torch in hand, with the U.S. Capitol building behind her and rays of sunlight spreading outward. The reverse shows a majestic bald eagle in flight. 

2. Flowing Hair Silver Dollar – $12 Million

The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar represents the very first dollar coin ever minted by the newly formed United States of America. It was created just after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. This coin symbolized the country’s move toward its own independent currency. Of the 1,758 coins originally struck, only a few survive today. It is one of the rarest and most expensive coins in existence.

It was designed by Robert Scot, and is made from 90% silver and 10% copper. It weighs 26.96 grams and measures 39-40mm in diameter. The obverse features a youthful portrait of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, while the reverse depicts an eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons. The historical importance and exquisite design of this coin have made it rather expensive with one specimen selling for $12 million in 2022.

3. Brasher Doubloon – $9.36 Million

In 1787, New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher took it upon himself to mint his own gold coins. At a time when the United States was still trying to establish a uniform currency system, Brasher’s doubloons became important symbols of private enterprise and early American coinage. Only a few of these coins exist today, and they have become some of the most coveted artifacts of early American history.

It was made from 22-carat gold. The Brasher Doubloon weighs 26.6 grams and has a diameter of 29mm. The obverse features an eagle with a shield on its breast, while the reverse shows a sun rising over a mountain range, symbolizing hope and progress. The most unique aspect of the coin is the ‘EB’ signature, which Brasher stamped on the eagle's wing or breast. One of these coins sold for $9.36 million in 2021.

4. Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – $7.5 Million

This coin is another masterpiece from Augustus Saint-Gaudens, whose work on the Double Eagle series is legendary. Originally struck in 1907, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was minted until 1933, though many of the later editions never entered circulation due to the Gold Reserve Act. 

Like the 1933 Double Eagle, this coin is made of 90% gold and 10% copper and weighs 33.44 grams with a diameter of 34mm. The obverse features Lady Liberty holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other, while the reverse shows a soaring bald eagle. Its design and limited circulation (now there are only 13 known pieces exist) have driven collectors to pay millions for this piece of American numismatic history. It was last valued at $7.5 million.

Do you think that you have a similar one? Download a free coin identifier app and check it right there quickly and easily. 

5. Edward III Florin – $6.8 Million

It was minted in 1343 during the reign of King Edward III. The Edward III Florin is a medieval gold coin with a story steeped in England’s efforts to control European trade. Though the coin was originally intended for widespread circulation, its gold content proved insufficient, and many were quickly withdrawn. Only three of these coins are known to exist today.

This coin weighs 6.99 grams and measures 29mm in diameter. The obverse depicts King Edward III seated on a throne, holding a sword and shield, while the reverse shows a cross with a central fleur-de-lis. With so few surviving specimens, the Edward III Florin is a remarkable find for collectors of medieval coinage, with one specimen selling for around $6.8 million at auction.

6. Umayyad Gold Dinar – $4.8 Million

The Umayyad Gold Dinar is one of the oldest and most significant Islamic coins. Struck in the year 723 AD during the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate, this coin is made from gold mined from a site owned by the caliph himself. 

It is made from pure gold, weighs 4.25 grams and measures 20mm in diameter. The inscriptions on the obverse and reverse are in Arabic, with no images. The rarity of the coin, its religious and historical importance have made it one of the most valuable ancient coins, fetching $4.8 million at auction.

7. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel – $4.7 Million

Only five specimens were ever struck, likely without official approval from the U.S. Mint. These coins have since become some of the most sought-after rarities in the world. 

Made from 75% copper and 25% nickel, the coin weighs 5 grams and measures 21.2mm in diameter. The obverse shows a profile of Lady Liberty, while the reverse features a Roman numeral "V" for the denomination. These coins’ value is about $4.7 million for now.

8. 2007 Queen Elizabeth II Million Dollar Coin – $4 Million

The Royal Canadian Mint struck this incredible coin in 2007 as a publicity stunt to show their ability to produce large gold coins. This coin is a numismatic rarity and a symbol of the technological advancements in modern coin production.

Weighing in at a massive 220 pounds (100 kilograms) and made from 99.999% pure gold, this coin has a face value of $1 million, though it has sold for up to $4 million in private sales. 

The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Susanna Blunt, the reverse shows a large maple leaf, Canada’s national symbol. Only five of these coins were minted. The Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged this coin as the largest gold coin ever in 2007. 

One of the coins was stolen from a Berlin museum in 2017. The criminals were found and sentenced to years in prison. However, the coin was not found and recovered. 

9. 1797 Gold Eagle – $2.8 Million

Part of the earliest gold coinage produced by the United States, the 1797 Gold Eagle represents the young nation’s attempt to establish its place in the world of international trade. It was minted in very small numbers. So, it is an incredibly rare find today.

It was made from 22-carat gold. The coin weighs 17.5 grams and has a diameter of 33mm. The obverse features a profile of Lady Liberty, while the reverse shows an eagle with outstretched wings. Its historical importance and limited mintage make it highly desirable among collectors, with one selling for $2.8 million.

10. 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny – $1.75 Million

During World War II, the U.S. government switched from copper to steel for penny production to save the copper for the war effort. However, a small number of 1943 Lincoln Head Pennies were mistakenly struck on copper planchets, creating one of the most famous minting errors in American history. 

The coin weighs 3.11 grams and measures 19mm in diameter. Designed by Victor David Brenner, the obverse features Abraham Lincoln, the reverse shows the Lincoln Memorial. One of these rare copper pennies sold for $1.75 million in 2010. So, it is a 1 million dollar coin that you can find and buy one day.

Sum Up

Disclaimer: All prices indicated in the article are approximate and based on data provided in the public domain on the Internet. To find out the real prices today, contact the auction houses.

Sources:

1. https://www.bankrate.com/investing/worlds-most-valuable-coins/

2. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/8-rare-coins-worth-millions