Did you know some U.S. coins are worth millions of dollars each?

Here’s a look at 10 rare U.S. coins that have sold for millions.
(…You might even have one without realizing it!)

Wondering what your chances are of stumbling upon one of these incredibly valuable coins?

How can you tell if you’re holding a coin worth a fortune?

Let’s take a closer look at the rarest and priciest coins out there — who knows, you might already own one without even knowing it.

Below are 10 of the most expensive U.S. coins ever sold — and yes, each one went for more than $1 million!

1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

In 1933, the U.S. banned private gold ownership shortly after the Mint struck $20 gold coins featuring Miss Liberty — designed by the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

All 1933 Double Eagles were ordered to be melted down. But a few survived — one landed in the hands of Egypt’s King Farouk, a passionate coin collector.

After he was overthrown, the coin disappeared for 40 years before resurfacing with a coin dealer. He struck a deal with the U.S. Secret Service, legalizing the coin and auctioning it off.

When it first sold in 2002, it fetched $7.59 million — a record at the time. Then, in 2021, it went up for sale again and shattered records, selling for $18,872,250 — reclaiming its title as the world’s most valuable coin!

1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

This was the very first silver dollar ever struck by the U.S. Mint for circulation.

The coin believed to be the first of its kind sold in 2013 for $10,016,875 — an incredible price for a historic piece!

1787 Brasher Doubloon

Struck by Ephraim Brasher, a New York goldsmith and friend of George Washington, this early privately minted gold coin is extremely valuable.

These coins regularly sell for millions. In 2021, one sold for $9,360,000!

1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar

Known as “The King of American Coins,” this rare dollar wasn’t actually made in 1804 — the Mint struck it in the 1830s for diplomatic gift sets.

Only 15 are known to exist, with the first 8 classified as Class I coins.

The first one to sell for over a million dollars brought $4,140,000 in 1999. Every specimen since has sold for seven figures.

1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle

This $20 Liberty Head gold coin, weighing nearly an ounce, is considered a classic.

Though minted from 1850 to 1907, the 1861 Paquet Reverse is extremely scarce.

One sold in 2006 for $1,610,000, and subsequent auctions have pushed its value past $7 million.

1885 Trade Silver Dollar

Likely minted under mysterious circumstances, this coin isn’t listed in official U.S. Mint records.

Only 5 exist — and they’re legal to own.

In 2004, one sold for over a million. By 2019, another fetched $3,960,000!

1913 Liberty Nickel

The first U.S. coin to sell for over $1 million wasn’t gold or silver — it was a nickel!

Only 5 of the 1913 Liberty nickels were ever made, and their origins remain suspicious.

When one sold in 1996 for $1,485,000, it made headlines. Every one that’s sold since has topped the $1 million mark.

1894-S Barber Dime

Only 24 of these proof-format Barber dimes were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1894.

This rare dime has become one of the most sought-after U.S. coins. One example sold in 2016 for $1,997,500.

1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle

Out of a tiny mintage of 268, only 3 of these coins are known today.

One sold in 1982 for $187,000. Another didn’t appear at auction until 2018 — and that one went for $2,160,000.

Two more surfaced soon after, each selling for slightly less.

1822 Capped Bust Half Eagle

Only three of these rare $5 gold coins are known, and just one is available to collectors — the others are in the Smithsonian.

In 2021, that one specimen sold for a staggering $8,400,000!

What Are The Chances Of Finding Rare Coins Worth Millions Today?

So… what are the odds of discovering a coin like this?

Let’s face it, most of us dream of finding that one jackpot coin in our change jar or wallet — the kind that could net us $1 million, $2 million, or more.

Just imagine what you could do with that kind of money…

Buy a home outright, pay off debt, retire early, launch your dream business, or travel the world.

It’s enough to stash some away in an IRA or annuity and enjoy a worry-free future.

The idea of finding one of these million-dollar coins in pocket change keeps many of us looking — even if the odds are nearly impossible.

Realistically, these coins don’t circulate anymore. And it’s highly unlikely someone would randomly spend one.

Even if they did, most people wouldn’t recognize its value!

Sadly, that rare coin could easily be tossed aside or destroyed before anyone realized what it was worth.

A collector who owns one would be far more likely to auction it off and donate the proceeds to charity — a much safer and more meaningful way to make a difference.

In fact, that’s exactly what happened with the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Donated to the American Numismatic Association and displayed for decades, the multimillion-dollar collection was auctioned in 2022 to support Dallas-area charities important to Bass.

So yes — it pays to believe in generosity.

Even if your chances of finding a million-dollar coin in change are basically zero, plenty of coins still trade well above face value.

If you stay lucky and informed, chances are you’ll uncover a valuable coin in circulation someday.

Happy hunting!

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.