The Rarest And Most Valuable Coins in the World

The world’s rarest and most valuable coins aren’t necessarily prized for their precious metal content. Some of these hold value for their historical significance, intriguing backstories, or extreme rarity.

In this blog, we look at the most rare and valuable coins that attract coin collectors from across the globe.

1344 Edward III Gold Florin

Country of Origin: England

Estimated Value: ~$6.8 million

Struck in England in 1344, the Edward III Florin, also known as the ‘Double Leopard’, is considered the rarest coin in British numismatic history. It was introduced by King Edward III as a high-value gold coin intended for circulation across Europe but was withdrawn after only a few months due to its unpopular denomination.

The obverse features King Edward III seated on his throne flanked by two leopards, while the reverse displays a detailed Royal Cross within a quatrefoil. There are only three of this coin known to exist today: two are on display at the British museum and a third was discovered in 2006 using a metal detector.

The coin found in 2006 was originally sold at auction for £480,000 (about $850,000 at the time) and is now estimated to be worth around $6.8 million.

1907 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (Ultra High Relief)

Country of Origin: United States

Estimate Value: ~$4.1 - $4.75 million

Commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt and designed by renowned sculptor August Saint-Gaudens, the 1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is widely considered one of the most beautiful coins ever minted in the United States.

The original coins were struck in high relief, a design that was too labour-intensive and difficult for mass production. As such, there are less than 30 of the original 1907 high relief versions known to exist.

Coinage of Edward VIII

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Estimated Value: £1 million

Edward VIII had just a brief reign in the United Kingdom, so no official coins bearing his portrait were ever released into circulation. However, the Royal Mint did produce a small number of trial and pattern pieces in preparation for his rule.

Today, these few examples of Edward VIII coinage are amongst the most sought-after pieces in British numismatics. The Royal Mint even set a new UK coin record by sourcing and selling an Edward VIII Sovereign for £1 million.

1822 Half Eagle Gold Coin

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: ~$700,000 (likely much higher)

The 1822 Half Eagle was struck by the U.S. Mint with a $5 denomination and is today considered one of the rarest gold coins in American history. Designed by John Reich, the coins feature a depiction of an eagle on the reverse and Lady Liberty on the obverse.

Around 17,800 of these coins were originally minted but only three are known to survive today. Two are held in the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection and the third was sold at auction for nearly $700,000 back in 1982. It’s more than likely that the coin is worth considerably higher than that amount today.

1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: $4 - 5 million

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most well-known (and mysterious) coins in American numismatics. Official U.S. Mint production of Liberty Head Nickels ended in 1912, but somehow there are five unauthorized pieces depicting the 1913 date. The existence of these coins remained a secret until 1920, when they surfaced under the ownership of former Mint worker Samuel Brown.

Each surviving specimen of the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel has its own unique history, including the Hawaii Five-O Nickel (named for its appearance in the popular TV series) and the Eliasberg Specimen that was once owned by legendary collector Louis Eliasberg.

These rare coins have set multiple records on auctions over the years, with sales ranging from $3.7 million to more than $5 million depending on the coin’s condition and provenance. The Eliasberg Specimen is considered the finest known example and sold for around $4.5 million, while the Hawaii Five-O Nickel sold for over $4 million.

Read: What are the Best Gold Coins to Buy and Why? From Kruggerands to Maple Leafs

Queen Anne Vigo Five-Guinea Piece

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Estimated Value: £703,000

The Queen Anne Vigo Five-Guinea Piece was minted in 1703 from gold bullion captured by the British fleet at the Battle of Vigo Bay during the War of Spanish Succession. Struck to commemorate this naval victory, the coin bears the word ‘VIGO’ beneath Queen Anne’s portrait.

Only a small number of these coins were produced, and they remain among the rarest examples of early British gold coinage. One of the coins sold for £703,000 at a New York auction in 2012, although its value would likely be much higher today.

1822 Capped Bust Half Eagle

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: ~$8.4 million

The 1822 Capped Bust Half Eagle is one of the rarest and most valuable coins in American history. 17,796 of these coins were originally minted but nearly all have been lost, melted down, or destroyed over the years, and only three known specimens survive. Two are housed at the Smithsonian Institution and the third is privately owned.

The coins were designed by John Reich and feature a portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a draped cap on the obverse and a powerful eagle on the reverse. In recent sales, the privately owned specimen has been valued at around $8.4 million, making it one of the most valuable U.S. coins in existence.

1898 Single 9 Pond

Country of Origin: South Africa

Estimated Value: $4 million

The 1898 Single 9 Pond coin is one of the most rare and fascinating coins in African history. Struck in the South African Republic during the Anglo-Boer War, these coins were created after dies from Germany failed to arrive. To improvise, a large ‘9’ was punched onto an existing 1898 die, but this solution was too cumbersome and only a single coin was made that way.

The Single 9 Pond was presented to the United States Consul General, C.E. Macrum as a diplomatic gift as part of South Africa’s efforts to assert independence from British rule. The coin passed through many hands over the years, including King Farouk of Egypt.

1804 Silver Dollar

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: $7.6 million

Despite its date, the 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar was actually minted in the 1830s as part of a diplomatic mission under President Andrew Jackson. The silver coins were intended to be a prestigious gift given to foreign dignitaries and only 15 specimens are believed to exist today.

The most famous example of the 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar was given to the Sultan of Muscat and sold for $4.1 million in 1999. Other specimens have been valued as high as $7.6 million.

2007 ‘Big Maple Leaf’ 100kg Gold Coin

Country of Origin: Canada

Estimated Value: $4 million

The 2007 ‘Big Maple Leaf’ is one of the most impressive feats of minting. The colossal coin, created by the Royal Canadian Mint, is made from 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of 99.999% pure 24-carat gold. It was the very first coin to be issued with a face value of $1 million.

Only six of these pure gold coins were produced, and in 2007 they were given the status of the world’s largest gold coin by the Guinness World Records. To add a bit of intrigue, one of the coins was stolen from the Bode Museum in Berlin in 2017, and even though the suspects were caught, it has never been recovered.

Similar: The Canadian Maple Leaf Coin: All You Need to Know

42 BC Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AV Aureus

Country of Origin: Roman Republic

Estimated Value: ~$3 - 4.1 million

The 42 BC Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AV Aureus coins are extremely rare and historically significant, having been struck shortly after the assassination of Julius Caesar. The obverse features a strong profile of Brutus while the reverse bears the inscription ‘EID MAR’ in reference to the Ides of March.

Only three of these coins are known to exist today and one remains in private hands.

1933 Penny

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Estimated Value: Up to £250,000 or more

Only six known examples of the 1933 British Penny were struck. Three were placed under building foundations and three were housed in national collections. Some believe there may be a seventh coin out there, but its existence is unconfirmed.

1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: ~$204,000 - $1.75 million

During World War II, U.S. pennies were intended to be struck in steel to conserve copper for the war effort. However, a small batch of 1943 Lincoln cents were accidentally minted in copper and less than 20 genuine examples are known today (beware of counterfeits!).

Authentic versions of these coins have fetched between $204,000 and $1.75 million at auction, making them one of the most famous mint errors in American coinage history.

See: How To Spot Fake Gold Coins and Avoid Fraud

1787 Brasher Gold Doubloon

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: ~$5 - 9 million

The 1787 Brasher Doubloon was created by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher and was one of the first gold coins to be struck in the United States. The New York state coat of arms is depicted on one side while the other features the Great Seal of the U.S. with Brasher’s hallmark ‘E.B.’ either on the eagle's breast or wing.

Only seven of these coins are known to exist today, with one selling for a record $9.36 million in 2021.

1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: $18.8 million

The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is a legendary coin. 445,000 of these were minted but none were released into circulation after President Roosevelt abandoned the gold standard. Most were melted down but a few managed to escape and were either sold or stolen.

There are believed to be less than 15 of these coins in existence today and only one is legally owned privately. It recently sold for a record $18.8 million in 2021, making it the most expensive coin ever sold.

1794 Silver Flowing Hair Dollar

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: ~$6.6 - 12 million

The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the first coin to ever be struck by the U.S. Mint. It features Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. Only 130 examples of this coin are known to survive today, one of which was sold for $12 million in 2022.

1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: $20 million

Minted during the early days of the California Gold Rush, the 1849 Double Eagle was a prototype for the now-famous $20 gold pieces. Only two of these coins were ever struck and just one survives today, where it’s housed at the Smithsonian Institution. It’s considered to be the rarest and most valuable American coin with an estimated value of $20 million.

1861 Paquet Liberty Head Double Eagle (Norweb)

Country of Origin: United States

Estimated Value: ~7.2 million

Engraver Anthony C. Paquet’s version of the Liberty Head Double Eagle features a unique high-relief design and distinct lettering. Only two examples were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and both are extremely rare due to the coin’s historical significance and connection to the American Civil War.

723 Umayyad Gold Dinar

Country of Origin: Umayyad Caliphate

Estimated Value: ~6 million

The 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar is one of the most historically significant Islamic coins. It was struck from gold mined at the personal estate of the Caliph and bears the inscription ‘mine of the commander of the faithful’. Only a handful of these coins exist and some have sold at auction for around $6 million.