In this article, you will discover the stories behind the world's most expensive coins sold at the highest price. Coin (from lat. moneta) is a banknote made of metal or other material and having a specific shape, weight and denomination. In addition to expensive high-class coins, there are other types of them: exchange coins of wide circulation, collectible, commemorative, investment. The most common way to make them is by embossing, but the shape is usually a regular circle.
We all know well that there are very expensive coins in the world, but only a few in their assumptions are able to approach the figure displayed on their price tag. Even a millionaire can often boast of just one such coin, especially if its copy is one of the following. We present to you a list of the most expensive coins in the world.
1. Double eagle
This rare coin is the most expensive in the world, its price is $ 7,900,000. It's made of gold, of course. And although it was put into circulation relatively recently, in the 30s of the twentieth century, and its face value was $ 20, it is truly unique. The reason lies in the following: just at this time in the United States they decided to abandon the use of coins containing precious metals. The double eagles were taken out of circulation and allowed to be melted down, but some survived. There remained a dozen copies minted in the spring of 1933, which were stolen from the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance. The authorities intervened in the matter. The US intelligence services did a great job, and they managed to return 9 of them, however, one coin disappeared without a trace.
It was discovered half a century later in London. This rarity was acquired for his collection by an Englishman - millionaire Stephen Fenton. But then one day he arrived in New York with his coin, where he was safely arrested by the American authorities. His legal ups and downs against the adamant US government lasted five years. By the way, the court decision turned out to be very original: the coin was recognized as the state property of the United States, while the Briton was allowed to sell it, and the money thus obtained was kept for himself.
2. Loose hair
The second most valuable coin on our list is the Loose Hair dollar. Date of issue - 1794, metal - pure silver. According to the latest information, it was acquired by the new owner for $ 7.85 million. In general, the series of coins "Loose hair" of 1974 has long been known in the United States (and throughout the world too) as the source of the most expensive pieces. It is worth noting that the sale of this rarity was carried out officially between the numismatic association of the city of Irvine Rare Coin Wholesalers and the Cardinal Collection Education Foundation.
3. Florin Edward III
This coin is the rarest representative of ancient coins. She has another name - "Double Leopard". These double florins were in circulation in 1343-44 and were denominated in 6 shillings. Its price at the Spink auction reached a fantastic figure of 6,800,000 dollars. Note that that Edward III is one of three similar coins in existence, made in 1343.
4. Liberty Head V
This coin, which has a face value of only 5 cents, was able to pick up in price at the auction and was sold for $ 4,150,000. Not bad at all, isn't it? The ordinary man in the town of Merimak, New Hampshire, probably could not have guessed, when he decided to sell his nickel, how this amazing story would end. The fact is that this is one of the 5 surviving Heads of Freedom, born in 1913. This also happens sometimes.
Today, the owner is Legend Numismatics, based in New Jersey.
The five cent coin depicting the head of the Statue of Liberty was issued in the years 1883-1912 in the United States. In 1913, instead of the head of the statue, the image of the head of an Indian began to be minted, however, 5 types of Heads of Liberty were still made. Essentially illegal. And so they instantly turned into a numismatic rarity of unprecedented value. Its owner can be compared to the owner of a diamond mine.
5. Small Silver Dollar Class I
And again the representative of the United States. You can't go anywhere, because the financial system of this power was managed so carelessly that it allowed a large number of future rarest artifacts to be born. This also applies to the 1834 Little Silver Dollar.
Copies of the 34th year of this type of coins remained only in the amount of 8 pieces. Their uniqueness also lies in the fact that they were issued on the occasion of the anniversary of the King of Siam, a great numismatist who even at one time received the nickname "King of Coins". The final auction price of this coin was last US $ 4,140,000. Let's add more - then the same person bought the rest of the collection of the late king, who had such an unusual hobby for his high position.
6. Brasher's doubloon
The so-called Brasher's Dublon is a coin struck by the jeweler Ephraim Brasher, bearing the initials "EB" engraved in the center of the eagle's chest. Was sold for $ 7,400,000. Contains 1 gram of pure gold.
7. Silver Dollar from the Kweller family collection
This silver dollar, owned by the Kweller family, was sold for $ 3,737,500. It is interesting to know that the year this coin was minted is not 1804, but 1834. It's just that the drawing of an older silver dollar was used to make it.
8. Super-embossed double-headed eagle
Another representative of two-headed eagles. This time - "super-relief". Price - $ 2,990,000. Its rarity is due to one circumstance. Such coins never made it into circulation. And that's why. It was during the Great Depression, and due to economic difficulties, a corresponding change was made to the legislation, which put an end to this type of money.
9. Class III silver dollar
The price of a Class III Silver Dollar is $ 2,300,000. At the time of the production of silver dollars, they were divided into classes and today their number is only 13 pieces - 8 of them I class, one - II and 6 remaining III class. Minted in the period 1858-1860.
10. Eagle from the Head of an Indian
This coin was sold for $ 2,185,000. In 1907, the production of 10 dollar coins began with the image of the head of an Indian. The new design was developed by the famous American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. This work was entrusted to him to carry out the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.
This is what the ten most expensive coins at the moment look like. But some of them have not changed their owners for quite a long time, so in the near future we can well expect new records. Note that the price tag of some of these coins exceeds $ 1,000,000 and these are not isolated cases (dozens of transactions) and they are becoming more and more. And this is all thanks to new finds and successful auction resales.
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