Numismatics or coin collecting has special, unique, and very precious items. Some of the most valuable U.S. coins are valued on account of their beauty, historical importance, and interesting stories, oddities, and mysteries. From secret mintings to unusual flaws, these coins represent historical events, human inventiveness, and even luck. Here are nine lesser-known facts about some of America’s costliest coins.

The 1933 Double Eagle Never Hit the Streets

It is one of the most infamous U.S. coins. The U.S. Mint first issued this gold coin series back in the early 1930s to help alleviate the struggling economy during the Great Depression. When the US dropped the gold standard in 1933, however, the government called back every remaining Double Eagle.

Some, however, remained in circulation. Approximately 13 1933 Double Eagles were minted, but almost all of them were melted down. Coins, as was the case with one example, evaded government inspectors and turned up decades later in private possession. One surviving 1933 Double Eagle was auctioned for $18.9 million in 2002, shattering the record for the most expensive coin ever sold. The U.S. government initially claimed ownership, but it subsequently emerged that the currency was permissible to sell, as confirmation of its place in numismatic history as one of the most iconic and valuable coins.

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel Was Minted in Secret

The Liberty Head Nickel is a mystery coin of 1913. Five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels were secretly struck without U.S. Mint permission, contrary to the majority of money in circulation. An employee alone, or aided by other employees, initiated striking some small quantities of these coins using dies meant for something else.

After all those years of hiding, these coins came into view in the 1920s. Among the five nickels, this one sold for $3.7 million in auction in 2018, but it first appeared in private collections. This 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is said to be one of the most valuable coins in the world, due to mystery and illegal manufacturing.

Charles E. Barber, the U.S. Mint’s principal engraver, designed the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. Liberty wearing a cap is on the front, and a simple yet attractive Roman numeral five is on the reverse.

The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar Could Be the First U.S. Coin

This Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, struck in 1794, ranks among the most significant ever produced in American currency. Some numismatists even claim that this was one of the first U.S. coins ever minted following the nation’s founding. The U.S. Mint, founded in 1792, coined its first coin with a silver dollar in 1794. That year marked the beginning of a whole new chapter of American financial history.
The Flowing Hair Dollar, designed by Robert Scot the engraver of the U.S. Mint, boasted on the obverse a picture of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, and an eagle on the reverse surrounded by stars symbolizing liberty and freedom.

A well-preserved 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar sold for $10 million at auction in 2013, making it the most expensive coin ever. This coin’s high worth stems from its historical significance as one of the first U.S. coins. Among the rarest and most sought-after coins in American numismatic history, only a few dozen are estimated to exist.

Nearly Missed 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Penny

One of the most famous and valuable Lincoln pennies ever minted resulted from a minting error. Misaligned dies resulted in a “doubled” image on the obverse of the coin. The characters “Liberty” and “1969” doubled because of this mistake, making the coin easy to identify to collectors.
Even the U.S. Mint did not notice the error at first, when it had already circulated a number of double die pennies. Later, collectors and numismatists discovered how rare the 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Penny was. For well-preserved mistake coins with mint conditions and little wear, the price fetched at an auction can be $150,000 or more.

The 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Penny is one of the most expensive ones as they found it much later in life and with a low mintage. It appears very interesting with its defects when it’s struck, and that’s one of the reasons it’s so attractive to collectors and investors

The 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar Wasn’t Minted.

One of the most interesting U.S. coins is the 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. Despite its date appearing on the coin’s name, it was not produced in 1804. The coin is actually a member of a diplomatic gift set from the 1830s. All coins produced for foreign dignitaries’ gift sets were not issued for circulation but strictly for the gift.
The “1804” Draped Bust Silver Dollar became famous due to its peculiar background. To commemorate the original design, there were special coins created in the 1830s, but the Mint stamped them with 1804 to give them mystique.

One of the most precious coins globally, the 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar is rare, and it also is connected with U.S. history in its epochs of diplomacy. This particular coin was sold for $4.1 million in the year 1999 due to its uniqueness and rich background. The very few coins that exist nowadays can be counted on just two hands, making this a highly coveted coin among numismatics.
ctxt Mintage Error Constitutes the Rarity.

1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Coins.

The 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is one of the rarest and most valuable American gold coins ever minted. Not one combination rivaled the beauty of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ creation for the U.S. Mint. The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle features on the obverse a full-length portrait of Lady Liberty, while the reverse highlights an eagle in flight.

An error during the minting process made the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle a rare coin. While there were many coins minted by the U.S. Mint in 1927, an error in gold allocation left its mintage woefully short of even moderate expectations. For these reasons, the coin is very scarce.

Only a few well-preserved 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles are for sale for $1 million plus to collectors and investors at auction because there was limited production and tremendous demand. It is a great staple among high-end coin collectors and investors looking to invest in a rare U.S. numismatic investment.

Rarer Minting Error: 1943 Copper Penny

The US government replaced pennies from copper to steel during World War II, thereby conserving copper for military use. A few 1943 pennies were minted using copper instead of steel. Rare 1943 Copper Pennies are now considered the most sought-after in American numismatic history.
Few 1943 Copper Pennies are in existence, but they can be valued tens of thousands of dollars or more depending on condition. The rarity and World War II context of 1943 Copper Pennies make them attractive to both collectors and investors. As penny collectors’ holy grail, the discovery of a 1943 Copper Penny in circulation shocks the numismatic community.

The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Scandal

The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter design caused a scandal. The coin depicted Liberty on the obverse with one arm stretched out and her figure partially exposed. Too risqué to be exposed to the public, some thought.

The U.S. Mint soon changed the currency to cover Liberty’s figure more after public outrage. However, those 1916 Standing Liberty Quarters exposing the Liberty are now highly collectible.

FAQs

What makes certain U.S. coins so valuable?

Certain U.S. coins become valuable because of a combination of factors including rarity, historical significance, demand among collectors, condition (grade), and unique characteristics such as errors or minting variations

What are some of the most valuable U.S. coins ever sold?

Some of the most valuable U.S. coins include the 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 gold coin, which sold for over $18 million, and the 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, which fetched nearly $10 million. These coins are prized for their rarity, historical importance, and exceptional condition.

Why are coin errors so valuable?

Coin errors, such as double strikes, off-center minting, or incorrect inscriptions, can make a coin extremely valuable to collectors. These errors are rare and often give the coin a unique characteristic that is not found in other examples.