The world of rare U.S. coins is filled with treasures that have captured the imagination of collectors and historians, with some pieces valued in the millions due to their rarity, historical significance, and unique stories.
Among these is the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, often called the most famous U.S. coin. Although 445,500 were minted, nearly all were melted down when President Franklin D.
Roosevelt took the U.S. off the gold standard, leaving only a handful in private hands. One of these coins sold for an astonishing $18.9 million in 2021.
Equally legendary is the 1804 Draped Bust Dollar, which is often referred to as the "King of American Coins." Surprisingly, these coins were not struck in 1804 but in the 1830s as diplomatic gifts.
The Class I originals, with only eight known examples, regularly fetch millions at auction. Another fascinating rarity is the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, a coin shrouded in mystery as it was never officially authorized by the U.S. Mint.
With just five known specimens, these nickels have become icons of American numismatics, with one selling for $4.56 million in 2018.
The 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar, believed to be among the first silver dollars ever minted by the United States, is another extraordinary piece.
One pristine example set a record in 2013 when it sold for $10 million, partly due to its association with the founding of U.S. coinage.