Coin collecting, or as its otherwise known as, ‘the king of hobbies’, has captivated kings and kids alike since as early as the 14th century. Whether it is for the value of the metal itself, their ‘mint’ condition (or even flaws – you might be surprised how much a ‘mule’ is worth!), their commemorative or historical significance, or merely a personal attachment, these shiny little things can really burn a hole in your pocket! Take a look at the most expensive coins money can buy.
10. 1804 Bust Dollar Class I - €2,795,000
This 'king of U.S. coins', dated 1804, was actually minted 30 years later in 1834. The coins were minted as diplomatic gifts for sovereigns, like the king of Siam, the sultan of Muscat and the emperors of Japan and Cochin-China. Because there were no silver dollars with the date 1804, The U.S. Mint created some 1804 coins. Only fifteen specimens are currently known to exist and therefore it is one of the rarest and most expensive coins in the world.
9. 5 Cents 1913 Liberty Head Nickel (Hawaii Five-O Specimen) - €3,175,000
The first nickel to make the list, is also (understandably) the most valuable when compared to its initial face value. This particular coin starred in the 1970s television series 'Hawaii Five-O'. The coin was used for close-up shots for the show, a common Liberty Head Nickel was used in the action scenes because the risk of damaging the coin was to great.
8. 1 Dollar 1804 Bust Dollar Class I (Mickley-Hawn-Queller Specimen) - €3,294,000
Another 'king of U.S. coins' in our list, this particular specimen has a small D punched in a cloud on the reverse of the coin. This indicates that the coin belonged to James V. Dexter, a wealthy coin collector, who owned the coin during the 19th century.
7. Canada 1 Million dollar 2007 Gold Maple Leaf - €3,415,000
The world’s first million dollar coin was first produced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007. This coin was originally conceived as a centrepiece to promote the Royal Canadian Mint’s new line of 99.999% pure one Troy ounce, Gold Maple Leaf bullion coins. This particular coin was sold at a public auction for $4.02 million (approximately ‹3,145,000) in Vienna.
6. 1 Dollar 1804 Bust Dollar Class I (Watters-Childs Specimen) €3,517,000
This coin is the finest known example of the 1804 Silver Dollar. This coin became the world’s most valuable coin to date in August, 1999. This coin was originally owned by the sultan of Muscat in 1835. In 2016, this coin was yet again put up for auction. A bid of $10,575,000 (approximately €9,488, 500) was placed for 1804 Dollar. This was the highest bid ever placed for a coin, however, the bid failed to meet the given reserve price.
5. Brasher Doubloon 1787 EB on Wing (Newlin-Davis Specimen) - €3,893,000
This coin was minted in the late 1700s when the United States Mint was not yet operational; the colonies minted their own coins in those days. Some of these coins were minted by private entrepreneurs such as Brasher. Brasher created this New York Brasher doubloon in 1787. The specifications of this coin are almost identical to the Lima Doubloons and the earlier Spanish coins of that time period.
4. 1 Dollar 1794 Flowing Hair (Lord Oswald-Hayes-Pogue Specimen) - €4,241,000
This flowing hair dollar was one of the first coins minted by the U.S. Federal Mint. This coin was sold for $4.99 million ( approximately €4.2 million) in 2014 in New York. This coins has a very clear provenance which can be traced back to 1794.
Source: Coin World
3. Umayyad Gold Dinar 723 AD - €5,120,000
The first coin in the list not from the United States or Europe, this Dinar was minted in Damascus in 723 AD. The coin was cast from gold originating from a mine owned by the caliph himself and incidentally is the first of its kind to mention a particular location in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
2. 20 Dollar 1933 Double Eagle (Farouk Specimen) - €6,446,000
In 1933 almost 500,000 twenty-dollar gold pieces were minted. That same year, President Roosevelt issued an executive order recalling all gold coins from the general public and ordering all the 20-dollar pieces to be melted. A handful of these 1933 golden pieces escaped being melted down. These coins are illegal to own and will be seized by the United States when found...except for one. This coin was originally owned by King Farouk of Egypt. After a legal battle, the mint and the private owner agreed to sell the coin.
1. One Dollar 1794 Flowing Hair (Green-Contursi-Cardinal Specimen) - €8,506,000
This coin was sold by Stack’s Bowers in January 2013. It is believed to be the first coin ever minted by the United States. The United States Mint opened their doors in 1792, but started minting only copper coins and some pattern coins the first two years. This particular coin has been preserved in its original state for over 200 years.
So there you have it, a top ten of the most expensive coins ever sold! There are of course many other valuable coins out there that didn’t make the list and still more still to be discovered. Visit our weekly Coins auctions to start or expand your own collection, or better still have a rummage in the attic and perhaps even put some up for sale yourself!