Most old coins are worth little more than their face value, but a handful have sold for amounts that are hard to believe. Factors such as rarity, historical importance, unusual minting errors, and condition can turn an otherwise ordinary-looking coin into a prized collectible.
Some of the most expensive coins ever sold have brought in more than the price of a luxury home. One even sold for nearly $19 million, making it one of the most valuable American coins ever auctioned.
Here are 10 rare coins that have commanded millions of dollars from collectors.
1. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle — $18.9 Million
The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle holds the top spot on this list, with one example selling for an incredible $18.9 million. Its rarity and unusual history have made it one of the most sought-after coins in American numismatics.
2. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar — $10 Million
The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is one of the earliest silver dollars produced by the United States Mint. One exceptionally rare example sold for $10 million, making this historic coin a prized piece of early American currency.
3. 1787 Brasher Doubloon — $9.4 Million
Created by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher in 1787, the Brasher Doubloon is one of America’s best-known early gold coins. A rare example featuring the distinctive “Breast Punch” sold for approximately $9.4 million.
4. 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar — $7.6 Million
The 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar has a history that makes it especially interesting to collectors, since the coins bearing this date were actually struck years later. One exceptionally rare example has sold for around $7.6 million.
5. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel — $4.2 Million
A five-cent coin worth millions sounds almost impossible, but the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is far from an ordinary nickel. Only five examples are known, and one has sold for approximately $4.2 million.
6. 1885 Trade Dollar — $3.9 Million
The 1885 Trade Dollar is an exceptionally scarce American coin that has attracted considerable interest from collectors. One example reportedly sold for approximately $3.9 million, making it one of the most expensive trade dollars ever sold.
7. 1792 Silver Center Cent — $2.5 Million
The 1792 Silver Center Cent is an unusual early American coin with a small silver plug in its copper center. One example has sold for approximately $2.5 million, a remarkable price for a coin with a one-cent denomination.
8. 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny — $1.7 Million
Most 1943 Lincoln pennies were made from steel because copper was needed for wartime production during World War II. A small number were mistakenly struck in copper, and one of these rare examples reportedly sold for around $1.7 million.
Related: 17 Rare Quarters Worth Some Serious Money
9. 1894-S Barber Dime — $1.5 Million
The 1894-S Barber Dime is one of the rarest and most recognizable coins in American collecting. With only 24 originally struck, it has become a major prize for collectors, and one example sold for approximately $1.5 million.
10. 1343 Edward III Florin — Estimated at $6.4 Million
The oldest coin on this list comes from medieval England rather than the United States. The 1343 Edward III Florin previously sold for around $850,000, and its estimated value has since reached approximately $6.4 million.
