When it comes to determining the value of collectible coins, the most reliable method is to research coins that have actually been sold and record the prices they achieved. Some coins, especially those held in museums and considered “priceless,” are not included in this list of the world’s most valuable coins because they will never be available for public sale.
Occasionally, mints produce extraordinary coins as promotional stunts with no intention of selling them, such as the Australian Kangaroo One Tonne Gold Coin created by the Perth Mint in 2011, which is now on permanent display. However, only coins that have been publicly traded at auctions or other public sales are listed here.
The 10 Rarest Coins in the World
Private treaty sales, which are difficult to verify, are not included in this top 10 list of the world’s most valuable coins. All prices are in U.S. dollars and include any auction fees and commissions charged to the buyer.
#10 – 1804 Bust Dollar – Class I (Dexter-Pogue Specimen)
- Price Realized: $3,865,750
- Date Sold: March 31, 2017
- Sold By: Stack’s Bowers Galleries and Sotheby’s
Known as the “King of American Coins,” this 1804 Bust Dollar took one of the top spots in the auction of the D. Brent Pogue coin collection. This specific specimen has a small “D” punched in a cloud on the reverse, indicating it was once owned by James V. Dexter, a prominent numismatist. The entire Pogue collection sold for over $106.69 million across five auctions.
#9 – 1804 Bust Dollar – Class I (Mickley-Hawn-Queller Specimen)
- Price Realized: $3,877,500
- Date Sold: August 9, 2013
- Sold By: Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas
This 1804 Bust Dollar, part of the Class I “Original” category, is one of the rarest coins in the world, with only 15 known authentic specimens. This coin sold for $140,000 more than it did in its previous auction in 2008.
#8 – $1 Million Gold Canadian Maple Leaf
- Price Realized: $4,020,000
- Date Sold: June 2010
- Sold By: Dorotheum Auction House, Vienna, Austria
The Royal Canadian Mint produced the world’s first million-dollar coin in 2007. Weighing 100 kilograms and made of 99.999% pure gold, five of these coins were sold to investors. One was sold for over $4 million at auction in 2010.
#7 – 1804 Silver Dollar – Class I (The Watters-Childs Specimen)
- Price Realized: $4,140,000
- Date Sold: August 30, 1999
- Sold By: Bowers & Merena
This 1804 Silver Dollar, the finest known example of its kind, was sold for a record-breaking $4.14 million in 1999. It remains one of the most coveted coins in the world, having been owned by figures like the Sultan of Muscat and the Childs family.
#6 – 1913 Liberty Head Nickel – Morton-Smith-Eliasberg Specimen
- Price Realized: $4,560,000
- Date Sold: August 2018
- Sold By: Stack’s Bowers
This 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is the finest known of only five specimens. Its mirror-like surface and controversy over its origins make it a fascinating piece. It sold for $4.56 million in 2018.
#5 – 1787 Brasher Doubloon – EB on Breast [Bushnell-Garrett Specimen]
- Price Realized: $7,395,000
- Date Sold: December 2011
- Sold By: Blanchard and Company
This Brasher Doubloon, minted by Ephraim Brasher in 1787, sold for over $7 million. Unlike other Brasher Doubloons, this one features Brasher’s mark on the eagle’s breast, making it particularly rare.
#4 – 1787 Brasher Doubloon – EB on Wing [Gilmor, Newlin, Davis, Brand Specimen]
- Price Realized: $4,582,500
- Date Sold: January 9, 2014
- Sold By: Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas
Another rare Brasher Doubloon, this coin features the “EB” mark on the eagle’s wing. It sold for $4.58 million in 2014 and is considered one of the most important coins in the world.
#3 – 1787 Brasher Doubloon – EB on Wing [Patrick Specimen]
- Price Realized: $9,360,000
- Date Sold: January 21, 2021
- Sold By: Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas
This Brasher Doubloon, the finest known example of its type, sold for $9.36 million in 2021. It is one of the first private-issued gold coins in the United States and remains a highly sought-after piece.
#2 – 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
- Price Realized: $10,016,875
- Date Sold: January 24, 2013
- Sold By: Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Believed to be the first silver dollar minted by the United States, this 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar set a world record when it sold for over $10 million in 2013. Its pristine condition and historical significance make it a true treasure.
#1 – 1933 Double Eagle
- Price Realized: $18,872,250
- Date Sold: June 2021
- Sold By: Sotheby’s
The 1933 Double Eagle holds the record for the most expensive coin ever sold, fetching nearly $19 million in 2021. Originally ordered to be melted down by President Roosevelt, only one of these coins is legally owned, making it the most coveted coin in the world.
Conclusion
These ten coins are among the rarest and most valuable in the world, with histories as rich as the prices they command. Whether through their historical significance, rarity, or sheer beauty, these coins represent the pinnacle of numismatic achievement and are treasured by collectors around the globe.
References
- Stack’s Bowers Galleries
- Heritage Auctions
- Sotheby’s
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