Although coins are a common form of currency, they can be in a weird situation sometimes. There is some instances where the material used for making them is only a fraction of what’s printed on their faces. There are also times when a coin’s face value is more than its actual worth.
There are several coins in the world that are highly collectable thanks to their rarity, historical significance or errors in printing or minting. With that said, here’s a list of 5 rarest and most valuable coins in the world.
1) 1794/5 Flowing Hair Dollar
The Flowing Hair Dollar was first minted in 1794. It was the first dollar coin issued by the United States Federal Government. Minted in 1794 and 1795, this coin is known for depicting the famous bust of Lady Liberty with flowing locks. The iconic picture makes this coin a national treasure and thus one of the most valuable coins in the world. It was sold for $10 million in January 2013.
2) 1931 Liberty Head Nickel
The Liberty Head nickel is an American 5-cent piece released in 1931. It was minted without the authorization of the United States Mint in extremely limited quantities. It is said that only five Liberty Heads exist today, out of which three are in private collection while the remaining two are displayed in a museum. One of these valuable coins was sold at $3.7 million in 2010.
3) 1933 Double Eagle
The 1933 Saint Gaudens Gold Double Eagle coin was minted but never circulated due to the changes in the currency laws issued during the Great Depression. In an attempt to end the banking crisis and save the country from financial ruin, President Franklin Roosevelt barred anyone from using gold. More than 440,000 specimens were pressed but practically all were melted down and never issued for circulation. However, some pieces were saved and got into the hands of collectors. Less than 15 of these coins exist now, out of which one was sold for $7.59 million in an auction in 2002.
4) 1343 Edward III Florin
The 1343 Edward III Florin is a rare medieval gold coin known as ‘double leopard.’ It was circulated in England from December 1343 to July 1344. This valuable coin survived for centuries and only three of these coins exist today. Its face value is about 6 shillings while its actual worth is in millions. The current worth of this rare coin is $6.8 million.
5) 1787 Brasher Doubloon EB on Wing
The 1787 Brasher Doubloon coin was forged by a goldsmith named Ephraim Brasher. He petitioned New York State to issue a new set of copper coins in 1787 but the state legislature refused. Brasher disregarded the state legislature’s decision and minted the coins. Most of the coins were minted in copper but there were a few minted in 22-carat gold. The coin features an eagle with ‘EB’, the goldsmith’s initials, pressed on its wings. It is one of the rarest coins in the United States and was sold for $7.4 million.
Each coin on this list has a unique story and represents a part of the history. If you’ve some coins from your grandma’s collection or in your piggy bank that you ignored, then it’s time to have a look at them. Maybe you’ll hit the jackpot!