Million Dollar Coins: Top 10 Most Expensive Coins

The world’s rarest and most valuable coins to look for 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 one million dollar coin? And what makes them worth so much? Maybe there are even valuable State Quarters?  

Today, you’ll get the top 10 most valuable coins that are wanted by many numismatists. 

1. 1933 Double Eagle – $18.9 Million

• Minted: 1933 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia

• Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens

• Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper

• Weight: 33.4 grams

• Diameter: 34mm

• Obverse: Lady Liberty striding forward, holding a torch and olive branch, with the U.S. Capitol behind her and rays of sunlight emanating.

• Reverse: Majestic bald eagle in flight.

• Record Sale: June 2021, sold for $18.9 million at auction.

The 1933 Double Eagle is one of the most expensive coins in the world. 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. 

2. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar – $12 Million

• Minted: 1794 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia

• Designer: Robert Scot

• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

• Weight: 26.96 grams

• Diameter: 39-40mm

• Obverse: A youthful portrait of Lady Liberty with flowing hair.

• Reverse: Eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch and arrows.

• Record Sale: 2022, sold for $12 million at auction.

The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is one of the most valuable US coins. It 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. 

Of the 1,758 coins originally struck, only a few survive today. It is one of the rarest, most wanted expensive coins in existence and most valuable dollar coins as well.

3. 1787 Brasher Doubloon – $9.36 Million

• Minted: 1787, private mint in New York (by Ephraim Brasher)

• Designer: Ephraim Brasher

• Composition: 22-carat gold

• Weight: 26.6 grams

• Diameter: 29mm

• Obverse: Eagle with a shield on its breast.

• Reverse: Rising sun over a mountain range, symbolizing hope and progress.

• Record Sale: January 2021, sold for $9.36 million at auction.

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 most expensive gold coins of early American history.

4. Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – $7.5 Million

• Minted: 1907-1933 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia

• Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens

• Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper

• Weight: 33.44 grams

• Diameter: 34mm

• Obverse: Lady Liberty holding a torch and olive branch.

• Reverse: Soaring bald eagle in flight.

• Record Sale: The latest valuation was $7.5 million, as of 2018.

This is another example of the most expensive US coins. 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. 

Do you think that you have a similar one? Download a free coin identifier app and check it right there quickly and easily. What if you have a rare coin worth $69 million? 

5. 1343 Edward III Florin – $6.8 Million

• Minted: 1343 in England under King Edward III

• Composition: Gold

• Weight: 6.99 grams

• Diameter: 29mm

• Obverse: King Edward III seated on a throne with a sword and shield.

• Reverse: A cross with a central fleur-de-lis.

• Record Sale: November 2006, sold for $6.8 million at auction.

What are the most valuable coins that were created not in the United States? One 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. That is why it is one of the most valuable foreign coins. 

6. Umayyad Gold Dinar – $4.8 Million

• Minted: 723 AD during the Umayyad Caliphate (modern-day Syria or Jordan)

• Composition: Pure gold

• Weight: 4.25 grams

• Diameter: 20mm

• Obverse: Arabic inscriptions.

• Reverse: Arabic inscriptions, no images.

• Record Sale: June 2011, sold for $4.8 million at auction.

The Umayyad Gold Dinar is one of the oldest and most valuable coins in the world of Islam. 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 and rare coins worth $5 million (almost).

7. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel – $4.7 Million

• Minted: 1913 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia (unofficial issue)

• Designer: Charles E. Barber

• Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel

• Weight: 5 grams

• Diameter: 21.2mm

• Obverse: Profile of Lady Liberty.

• Reverse: Roman numeral "V" for the denomination.

• Record Sale: May 2018, sold for $4.7 million at auction.

Here is another one from the most expensive coins US. 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 Coins – $4 Million

• Minted: 2007 by the Royal Canadian Mint

• Composition: 99.999% pure gold

• Weight: 220 pounds (100 kilograms)

• Diameter: 50cm (approximately)

• Obverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

• Reverse: A large maple leaf.

• Record Sale: 2007, sold for up to $4 million in private sales.

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. 

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

• Minted: 1797 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia

• Composition: 22-carat gold

• Weight: 17.5 grams

• Diameter: 33mm

• Obverse: Profile of Lady Liberty.

• Reverse: Eagle with outstretched wings.

• Record Sale: June 2019, sold for $2.8 million at auction.

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

• Minted: 1943 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia

• Designer: Victor David Brenner

• Composition: Copper (minting error, struck on copper planchets instead of steel)

• Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19mm

• Obverse: Abraham Lincoln.

• Reverse: Lincoln Memorial.

• Record Sale: November 2010, sold for $1.75 million at auction.

Here is the last but not least from the top 10 most expensive coins list. 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. 

Disclaimer: All prices indicated in the article are approximate and based on data provided in the public domain. 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