These 20 Rare U.S. Coins Are Breaking Records at Auctions in 2025

The world of rare coins is a fascinating one, with some pieces of currency commanding astronomical prices due to their rarity, historical significance, and sheer beauty.

Among the most sought-after treasures are U.S. coins that have reached unimaginable prices at auction, and the history behind these coins only adds to their allure.

Below is a detailed look at the 20 most valuable coins ever minted in the United States, based on public auction sales and the current market value.

1. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

• Value: $18.9 Million (sold in 2021)
• Details: One of the most famous U.S. gold coins, the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is known for its dramatic backstory. After President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the recall of gold coins in 1933, nearly all of these coins were melted down. However, a few survived, and in 2021, one sold for a staggering $18.9 million at an auction. This coin is now considered the most valuable American coin ever sold.
• Source: U.S. Mint

2. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

• Value: $10,016,875 (sold in 2013)
• Details: Believed to be one of the first silver dollars ever struck by the U.S. Mint, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is a symbol of America’s nascent coinage system. This particular coin’s value comes from its rarity, being one of the first 1,758 coins produced. Its sale in 2013 shattered previous records for silver dollar sales.
• Source: Coin World

3. 1822 Capped Head Left Half Eagle

• Value: $8.4 Million (sold in 2016)
• Details: The 1822 Capped Head Left Half Eagle is one of the rarest U.S. gold coins. Only three known specimens exist, with one of them sold in 2016 for $8.4 million. The coin features a classic design and was produced in extremely limited quantities, adding to its historical value.
• Source: Heritage Auctions

4. 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar (Class I)

• Value: $7.68 Million (sold in 1999)
• Details: Struck in the 1830s as diplomatic gifts, the 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar is one of the most coveted coins among collectors. The Class I version, of which only a handful of examples exist, is the rarest and most valuable of all the 1804 dollars. It fetched $7.68 million when it was sold at auction in 1999.
• Source: PCGS

5. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

• Value: $4.56 Million (sold in 2018)
• Details: The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most famous coins in American numismatics. It is rare because it was never authorized for production. Only five examples of this coin exist, making it a sought-after collector’s item. One of these sold for $4.56 million in 2018, cementing its place in coin history.
• Source: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

6. 1894-S Barber Dime

• Value: $1.55 Million (sold in 2007)
• Details: Only 24 of these rare coins were ever minted, and fewer are believed to still exist today. The 1894-S Barber Dime is prized for its rarity and historical significance. The coin features the profile of Lady Liberty and is highly coveted by collectors, as evidenced by its $1.55 million auction price in 2007.
• Source: United States Mint

7. 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny

• Value: $1.7 Million (sold in 2010)
• Details: In 1943, the U.S. Mint mistakenly struck some pennies on copper instead of steel. These 1943 copper pennies are incredibly rare, with only a few known to exist. The value of one such penny reached an impressive $1.7 million at auction.
• Source: U.S. Coin News

8. 1792 Birch Cent

• Value: $1.175 Million (sold in 2015)
• Details: The 1792 Birch Cent holds a special place in U.S. numismatic history as one of the earliest coins struck by the U.S. Mint. Only a small number of these coins were produced, making them highly valuable among collectors. One Birch Cent sold for $1.175 million at auction in 2015.
• Source: Stack’s Bowers

9. 1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle

• Value: $1.92 Million (sold in 2014)
• Details: The 1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle is one of the most valuable gold coins in U.S. history. Its scarcity, due to a limited number being minted in San Francisco, adds to its historical value. In 2014, one of these coins sold for $1.92 million.
• Source: Heritage Auctions

10. 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar

• Value: $2.1 Million (sold in 2021)
• Details: The 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the rarest coins in the Morgan dollar series, with only 100,000 minted. Due to its rarity, it is a highly prized piece among collectors. In 2021, it sold for $2.1 million, setting a new record for Morgan dollar auctions.
• Source: CoinWeek

11. 1795 Reeded Edge Cent

• Value: $300,000+
• Details: The 1795 Reeded Edge Cent is an experimental coin, notable for its reeded edge, a design feature that differed from the plain edges of other coins at the time. Its rarity and experimental nature make it a highly valued piece among collectors, often fetching prices in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Source: PCGS

12. 1802 Novodel Proof Dollar

• Value: $1 Million+
• Details: Created as a restrike in the 1830s for collectors, the 1802 Novodel Proof Dollar is a highly prized piece for its exceptional proof quality. These coins were never intended for circulation, adding to their desirability, with auction prices regularly exceeding $1 million.
• Source: Heritage Auctions

13. 1849 Double Eagle

• Value: Priceless
• Details: The 1849 Double Eagle is the first $20 gold coin issued by the U.S. Mint. Only one known example exists, housed in the Smithsonian Institution. Due to its historical importance and rarity, it is considered priceless.
• Source: Smithsonian Institution

14. 1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Gold Piece

• Value: $150,000+
• Details: Struck to commemorate the Panama-Pacific Exposition, the 1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Gold Piece is an exquisite piece of numismatic history. With only 645 coins minted, it is a rare treasure, with some examples selling for over $150,000.
• Source: U.S. Mint

15. 1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle

• Value: $1.5 Million
• Details: The 1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle is known for its unique reverse design by Anthony Paquet. With only a few examples in existence, this coin’s rarity and distinct design have made it one of the most valuable U.S. gold coins, often reaching auction prices of $1.5 million.
• Source: CoinWeek

16. 1885 Trade Dollar

• Value: $3 Million
• Details: The 1885 Trade Dollar is one of the rarest silver dollars in U.S. history, with only five known specimens. These coins were never released for circulation, and their rarity has made them one of the most valuable U.S. coins, with prices reaching up to $3 million.
• Source: Heritage Auctions

17. 1933 Indian Head Gold Eagle

• Value: $1 Million+
• Details: A victim of the gold recall, the 1933 Indian Head Gold Eagle has become one of the most sought-after coins in U.S. history. Its design by Bela Lyon Pratt and its historical significance contribute to its value, often exceeding $1 million.
• Source: PCGS

18. 1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle

• Value: $1.5 Million
• Details: This $5 gold coin from the San Francisco Mint is one of the rarest of its kind, with only about four known examples in existence. Its extreme rarity and historical importance make it highly valuable, commanding prices of around $1.5 million.
• Source: Heritage Auctions

19. 1793 Chain Cent

• Value: $1 Million+
• Details: The 1793 Chain Cent was the first mass-produced coin by the U.S. Mint, featuring a chain linking the 13 states. Due to public disapproval, its production was short-lived, but its historical significance and rarity have made it one of the most valuable early American coins.
• Source: PCGS

20. 1792 Birch Cent

• Value: $2.5 Million+
• Details: The 1792 Birch Cent is one of the earliest experimental coins struck by the U.S. Mint. Its design by Robert Birch and its rarity make it a highly prized coin in the world of American numismatics, with some examples fetching over $2.5 million at auction.
• Source: Stack’s Bowers

Conclusion

The market for rare and valuable coins continues to captivate collectors and investors alike. These 20 coins are not only significant for their historical context but also represent the remarkable achievements of U.S. Mint coinage. Their high value reflects their scarcity and the enduring interest in American numismatics. Whether a rare minting error or an important milestone in the history of American currency, these coins are cherished treasures that continue to appreciate in value.

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