The most expensive coin ever sold is the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, a U.S. twenty‑dollar gold coin that brought about 18.9 million dollars at auction in June 2021.
What the coin is
The 1933 Double Eagle is a gold coin designed by sculptor Augustus Saint‑Gaudens and struck by the U.S. Mint in 1933, just as the United States was leaving the gold standard. Although over 400,000 were minted, almost all were melted down, and only a tiny number survived, with just one example legally owned by a private collector.
Why it is so valuable
Its record price comes from a mix of extreme rarity, legal status, and famous ownership history. It is the only 1933 Double Eagle that can be lawfully held in private hands, and it has a well‑documented provenance, including past ownership by King Farouk of Egypt and a prior multimillion‑dollar sale in 2002–2003.
How it compares with other coins
Other legendary coins include the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar (around 10 million dollars) and the Brasher Doubloon (around 9–10 million dollars), but none have surpassed the 1933 Double Eagle’s nearly 19‑million‑dollar auction price. As of recent market reports in 2024–2025, it still holds the top spot among publicly reported coin sales.
Quick comparison
Coin| Approx. record price| Key reason for value
---|---|---
1933 Saint‑Gaudens Double Eagle| 18.9 million USD| Only legal privately owned
example; top rarity
1794 Flowing Hair Dollar| 10 million USD| Early U.S. silver dollar; extremely
rare
Brasher Doubloon (1787)| 9.4–10 million USD| Early U.S. gold, very few known
examples
