Whether you’re a novice coin collector or an expert numismatist, you may have at some point wondered, what exactly makes a coin valuable? Besides inherent beauty, we at Coins Plus appraise collectibles based on three characteristics: rarity, condition, and historical significance. When an item possesses all three, it is highly valued by us. 

Here, our coin appraisal specialists discuss the history and value of three such collectibles.

Top 3 Most Expensive Coins in the World

1. 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar

In 1794, the United States issued the country’s first dollar coin just two years after they founded the first National Mint. It was designed by Robert Scot and featured a portrait of a woman with curling tresses, thus earning the name of the Flowing Hair dollar. A year later the design was replaced by Gilbert Stuart’s Draped Bust dollar.

As one of the country’s greatest numismatic landmarks, the Flowing Hair dollar holds the title of the most expensive coin in the world. In fact, it broke the record in 2013 when a rare coin dealer in Lincroft, New Jersey bought one for $10 million. In fact, our senior numismatist Brad Karoleff was invited to a limited viewing of this coin “in the raw” before the sale for research purposes.       

2. 1933 Double Eagle

In 1907, American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens designed his famous Double Eagle. This 20-dollar gold coin was minted until 1933 when the Great Depression caused President Roosevelt to outlaw the use of gold as legal tender. Thus, the Mint ordered that all but two of the 445,500 Double Eagles made that year be melted down. Twenty additional coins were stolen by a Mint cashier, however, and picked up by various coin dealers. The Secret Service eventually recovered 19 of these Double Eagles, destroying nine and securing ten at Fort Knox.

With its unique context, the 1933 Double Eagle earns its place as not only the world’s second most valuable coin but also one of the rarest. In 2002, one of the intentionally spared coins sold to a private coin collector for $7.59 million.

3. 1787 Brasher Doubloon

Just as the 1794 Flowing Dollar was the country’s first dollar, the 1787 Brasher Doubloon was the colonial United States’ first gold coin. It was created by Ephraim Brasher, a prominent New York City gold and silversmith whose initials grace the obverse of the doubloon and many worldwide coins.

When circulated, the 1787 Brasher Doubloon was worth approximately $15. Now, the coin is worth upwards of $7.4 million, putting it just behind the 1933 Double Eagle. Mr. Karoleff examined this coin at a convention enlightening the new owner that it is actually a double struck specimen. 

Whether you have a common collectible or one of the most expensive coins in the world, Coins Plus will always deliver an honest, expert coin appraisal. To schedule an appointment with one of our coin dealers, call our Cincinnati office at (513) 621-1996. For more on our buying and selling process, visit our website.