5 Most Famous Coins That Piqued the Curiosity of Numismatists

Several numismatists may not be able to afford the world’s rarest coins but they would still know which coins happen to be the most valuable, notable, and rare in the recent past. Most of these coins are worth a million-dollar meaning they’re more than a hobby and could be a lucrative business too! Indeed, a rare collectible they are! 

The coin collectors mostly look for coins with great value, historical significance, and incredible beauty. Let’s take a look at the 5 most famous coins in the last decades.

1. 1933 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle

The 1933 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle is deemed as the most expensive coin to date. With a face value of $20, this gold coin was sold at a whopping price of $7,590,020 by Sotheby's and Stack's on July 30, 2002. It became famous not only for its market value but also for its extraordinary beauty. 

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt decided to change the American coinage and introduce new designs. He considered coins to be a reflection of a country’s greatness and called US coins insipid in comparison to the Greek coins. So a famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens made the designs of new US gold coins and the gold Double Eagle coins were produced in 1907.

During the Great Depression in 1933, Roosevelt withdrew the gold standard from the American currency in order to stabilize the economy which led to an end of coin circulation. An order was passed which asked all the gold coins to be melted but a few coins survived due to illegal trading by collectors. These rare gold coins were eventually tracked and preserved by the US government. The only legitimate example of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Coin was sold to a private collector.

2. Australian Proof 1930 Penny

The Australian Proof 1930 Penny is considered to be the world’s most valuable copper coin and the most valuable coin in Australia. In 2005, this copper coin was sold for $517,345. Its current market value estimates to more than a million dollars.  

In 1930, only six pieces of the Australian Proof Penny were minted at the Melbourne Mint for archival purposes. They were not made for public circulation and served only as a commemoration by preserving in Australian history.  Three of them are with private collectors and the other three are preserved by the British Museum, Museum of Victoria, and the Art Gallery of South Australia. (8.1)

3. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

One of the most valuable coins in the world, 1913 Liberty Head Nickel was sold on  January 7, 2010, by Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas at the price of $3,737,500. It starred in the 1970s television series Hawaii Five-O for close-up shots. And a common Liberty Head nickel was used for action shots. (8.2)

4. 1804 Silver Dollar

Known as the “King of US coins” for over 100 years, the 1804 silver dollar coins were dated 1804 but none of them were coined in 1804. This famous and rare coin was also sold by Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas on April 17, 2008, at a price of $3,737,500.

5. 1787 Brasher Doubloon

A goldsmith & silversmith named Ephraim Brasher was one of the private entrepreneurs who minted their own coins until the operations of the United States Mint. Henry Chapman and Q. David Bowers acknowledge it as the most important coin in the world. In 1787, Brasher minted his own coin called New York Style Brasher doubloon. The coin was sold at a price of $4,582,500 on January 9, 2014, by Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas.