What’s in Your Pocket?: Top 5 Most Valuable Coins
What if someone told you that a piece of shiny metal weighing less than an ounce was actually worth millions of dollars? This is a truth thousands of coin collectors around the world have discovered. Whether you are a seasoned collector, or looking to get into the trade, you should be aware of five of the most valuable coins in the world.
5. 1343 Edward II Florin ($6.8 milion)
The Florin was in circulation during the years 1343 and 1344 in England. It is just one of three coins of its type to have survived until this day, at least to the knowledge of avid coin collectors. This tiny piece of metal is worth an astounding $6.8 million.
4. 1787 Brasher Doubloon ($7.4 million)
This particular coin has an interesting history. It was not minted by any country’s government, but by a “private mint,” specifically Ephraim Brasher’s goldsmith shop. New York State rejected Brasher’s petition to put his series of copper coins into circulation in 1787. Despite their decision, he made hundreds of his coins in bronze as promised, but also created a select few in 22-carat gold on the side, the $7 million gold doubloon among them.
3. 1933 Double Eagle ($7.6 million)
Surprisingly, this extremely rare coin was produced in a quantity of 445,500 in 1933. However, these coins were never circulated, and almost every piece was melted down to use for other currency when President Roosevelt decided to discontinue the gold standard in an attempt to end the banking crisis spurred by the Great Depression. If only the coin was worth $7.6 million then.
2. 1907 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle ($8 million)
Although this intricate gold coin was first minted in the United States to represent $20 in U.S. currency, it turned out to be too labor intensive and expensive for them to continue to produce it in commercial quantities. In an attempt to make the coin easier to produce, the maker chose to remove the words “In God We Trust” from the face of the coin. Congress objected heartily, and the coin immediately ceased production, one of the reasons that it is so incredibly rare today. You can see two copies of this coin in the Smithsonian.
1. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver/Copper Dollar ($10 million)
To date, this coin issued by the United States Government is the most valuable coin in the world. Perhaps it is worth so much because it was the first coin ever issued by the U.S. Mint. The coin is made from a mix of 1 part copper and 9 parts silver, a $10 million memento of U.S. victory.