Below are some of the most valuable coins in the world, but they’re not all limited to museums and wealthy private collectors. A couple of these might just turn up in your couch cushions.
1. The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar may sit atop the rankings of the most expensive coin ever sold, at least for now. Some experts believe that it was the first silver dollar struck by the U.S. Mint. The front features a profile of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, while the reverse shows an American eagle. Fewer than 1,800 of these coins were ever produced, and one expert puts the number of remaining coins at between 120 and 130, so it’s quite rare.
2. The 1787 Brasher Doubloon
A 2011 sale saw a version of the doubloon with Brasher’s signature EB on the breast go for nearly $7.4 million. A 2018 private sale of another doubloon with the signature EB on the bird’s wing went for more than $5 million, according to Coin World. Another Brasher doubloon sold for a record $9.36 million in January 2021.
3. The 1787 Fugio cent
The Fugio cent hasn’t set the kind of astronomical records as the first two coins on this list, but it can still be a pricey collectible, and it has an interesting history to it. The Fugio cent, also known as the Franklin cent, after founding father Benjamin Franklin, may have been the first coin circulated in the newly formed United States.
4. The 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar
The 723 Umayyad gold dinar is one of the most prized Islamic coins, and it was struck from gold mined at a location owned by the caliph. The coin bears the marking “mine of the commander of the faithful” and it’s the first Islamic coin to mention a location in Saudi Arabia. About a dozen examples of the coin are in existence, according to experts.
In 2011, the coin fetched 3.7 million pounds (about $6 million) at auction, the second-most expensive ever sold at auction. In 2019, another version of the coin was sold for the same amount in pounds, but the dollar value came to about $4.8 million.
5. The 1343 Edward III Florin
Another one of the world’s most expensive coins is an oldie and goldie. The 1343 Edward III Florin is just one of three such gold coins known to exist. Two examples are housed in the British Museum in London, both of which were found in the River Tyne in 1857. The third coin was found by a prospector with a metal detector in 2006.
The front of the coin shows King Edward III on his throne with two leopards’ heads on either side, while the reverse shows the Royal Cross inside a quatrefoil. Because of its design, the coin is also known as the Double Leopard.
The coin found in 2006 was sold at auction for 480,000 pounds, or about $850,000 — a record at the time for a British coin. It’s now estimated that the coin is valued at around $6.8 million.
6. The 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny
Here’s another coin that you just might find tucked inside a dresser sometime, and it’s the conditions surrounding its production that make the 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny interesting and valuable.
While pennies were normally made of copper and nickel, the U.S. needed those metals for war efforts, so the mint started using steel to produce the coin. But it mistakenly still struck a batch of pennies with copper, potentially because blanks remained in the press when the mint began making new steel pennies. Experts estimate that about 40 of these pennies exist, though some say fewer than 20 examples remain.
The U.S. Mint says these coins are frequently counterfeited because of the relative ease of coating steel pennies with copper and altering the date on coins struck in 1945, 1948 and 1949. But to see if the coin is actually steel, you can see if it sticks to a magnet.
While a regular steel 1943 Lincoln penny might fetch you 30 or 40 cents – again about 30 or 40 times more than its face value – the special copper versions fetched $204,000 at a 2019 auction. This specimen of the coin had been held by a man for some 70 years since boyhood after he found it at his school cafeteria.
7. The 2007 $1 Million Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The $1 million Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coin is a novelty coin, if there ever were one, and it tips the scales at a whopping 100 kilograms or about 220 pounds. Only six of the nearly pure gold coins have ever been made, as of December 2022, and each has a face value of $1 million. They were used as a promotional showpiece for the mint’s one-ounce Gold Maple Leaf coins.
The coin was sold at auction in 2010 for 3.27 million euros, or just over $4 million at the time. In 2017, one of the coins was stolen from a Berlin museum. Three men were convicted of the crime and sentenced to years in prison, but the coin was never recovered.
Conclusion: The world’s most valuable coins are more than just currency; they are historical artifacts that tell stories of different eras, rulers, and civilizations. Their rarity, unique features, and historical significance contribute to their immense value. Collectors and investors alike continue to seek these prized possessions, making the numismatic market both fascinating and competitive. Whether you’re an experienced collector or a curious beginner, understanding the value and history of these coins can offer both financial rewards and a deeper appreciation for the past.
FAQs
Why are some coins worth millions of dollars?
Some coins are extremely valuable due to their rarity, historical significance, condition, and demand among collectors.
What is the most expensive coin ever sold?
The 1933 Double Eagle holds the record for the highest auction price, selling for $18.9 million in 2021.
How can I tell if a coin is valuable?
Factors such as minting errors, age, rarity, condition, and historical importance determine a coin’s value. Consulting a professional numismatist can help.
Where can I buy or sell rare coins?
Rare coins can be bought or sold through auctions, coin dealers, online marketplaces, and numismatic shows.
Is coin collecting a good investment?
Coin collecting can be a profitable investment if done wisely. However, market trends fluctuate, so thorough research and expert advice are recommended before making purchases.