Top 10 Rarest and Most Valuable Coins in the World

The Brasher Doubloon was minted by the New York silversmith Ephraim Brasher after the state legislature refused his request to strike new copper coins. He went on to produce his own coins, including some made of copper. In 2011, one of these coins with unique markings on the eagle's chest sold for $7.4 million, and another with marks on the eagle's wing fetched $4.5 million in 2014. Today, only a few of these coins remain. Value: $7.4 million (2011) and $4.5 million (2014) Year of Issue: 1787

The Silver Dollar was first issued in 1804. Featuring a bust of Liberty, this coin was given as a diplomatic gift to Edmund Roberts during his mission to the Sultan of Muscat. These coins come in three variations, with only 15 still in existence today. The most valuable of these coins are the Series I coins. One of these, previously owned by the Sultan of Muscat, was sold for $4.1 million in 1999. Value: $4.1 million (1999) Year of Issue: 1804

Produced in 2007 by the Royal Canadian Mint, this coin holds the title of the first ever million-dollar coin in the world. Each coin is made from 100 kg of gold with a purity of 99.99%. One side features a depiction of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse side shows three maple leaves. To date, only five of these coins have been sold. One of them fetched $4,020,000 at an auction in Vienna in 2009. Value: $4,020,000 (2009) Year of Issue: 2007

The Liberty Head Nickel is a 5-cent coin issued in 1913. It was produced without authorization from the U.S. Mint and in extremely limited quantities. By 1920, all of these coins were owned by Samuel Brown, a former Mint employee. One of these nickels sold for $100,000 in 1972, and in 1996, another broke the million-dollar barrier. Today, only five of these coins remain. One of them was sold for $3.7 million in 2010. Value: $3.7 million (2010) Year of Issue: 1913

The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Ultra High Relief coin was created by the renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The production costs of this coin were extraordinarily high, while its original face value was just $20. As a result, only about two dozen of these coins were ever minted. Known as the ‘Ultra High Relief’ coins, their design was revised multiple times before the coins were withdrawn from circulation in 1933. Two examples of this coin are now part of the Smithsonian collection. In 2005, one of these coins was sold at auction for almost $3 million. Value: Close to $3 million (2005) Year of Issue: 1907

The Half Eagle coin, issued in 1822 with a denomination of $5, was produced by the U.S. Mint. The coin's design features an eagle head, crafted by artist John Reich. Approximately 17,796 of these gold coins were minted at the time, but only three remain today. Two of these coins are housed at the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. In 1982, one of the remaining specimens was sold for $700,000. Value: $700,000 (1982) Year of Issue: 1822

The Edward III Florin, also known as the Double Leopard, was issued in 1344 by King Edward III of England. However, it was quickly recalled, making it one of the rarest coins in British history. Originally valued at 6 shillings, it became widely circulated in Europe. The coin features the king under a tree, flanked by two leopards. Only three of these coins exist today, with one selling for a record $680,000 at an auction in May 2006. The remaining two are displayed at the British Royal Museum. Value: $680,000 (2006) Year of Issue: 1344

The Double Eagle, perhaps the rarest and most valuable coin in U.S. history, exists as a single piece. Minted in 1850 but marked as 1849, it coincided with the California Gold Rush and paved the way for the $20 coin. Currently, the only known example is preserved at the National Numismatic Museum at the Smithsonian Institution. Value: Nearly $20 million Year of Issue: 1849

The Flowing Hair Dollar, designed by Robert Scot, was first minted in 1794 as the first coin issued by the U.S. federal government. It matched the size and weight of other Spanish dollars. The obverse features a bust of Lady Liberty, while the reverse shows an eagle. In 2013, a specimen was auctioned for a record-breaking $10 million. Value: $10 million (2013) Year of Issue: 1794

This $20 gold coin, minted in 1933, was quickly recalled despite over 400,000 pieces being produced. Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, it depicts Lady Liberty holding a torch and an olive branch. These coins were never released for circulation, and most were melted down. A few were stolen and made their way into private collections. Today, fewer than 15 remain, including one that fetched a record $7,590,000 at auction in 2002. Value: $7,590,000 (2002) Year of Issue: 1933