Alternative Investing

Most Expensive Rare U.S. Coins

No Small Change

Coins don’t always mean small change; in fact, some rare coins are worth a small fortune.Click ahead to see the 15 most expensive coins, including those considered priceless.

Coins don’t always mean small change; in fact, some rare coins are worth a small fortune.

Click ahead to see the 15 most expensive coins, including those considered priceless.

Posted 31 Aug 2009

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue
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1838 Half Eagle

Est. Value: $100,000 This Half Eagle was created during the first year the coins were produced.
Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $100,000

This Half Eagle was created during the first year the coins were produced.

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue

1795 Five-Dollar Gold Coin

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $150,000

This five-dollar gold coin was made the first year gold coins were produced in the United States.

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1933 Ten Dollar Gold Coin

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $300,000

This coin was produced the last year the US. Mint struck gold coins for currency.

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1880 Four Dollar Gold

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $500,000

This coin is unique because it was part of a group minted as a two-year experimental type.

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1838-O Half Dollar

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $500,000

This coin is a rarity because it is one of the first US coins struck at a branch mint, which is an extension of the national mint.  The 'O' signifies the coin was minted at the branch in New Orleans.

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1794 Bust Dollar

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $500,000

This Bust Dollar was created the first year silver dollars were produced by the US Mint.

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1793 Chain Cent

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $500,000

The Chain Cent was one of the first US coins to be mass-produced.

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue

1652 New England Shilling

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $500,000

This coin is one of the first colonial-issued coins.

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue

1839 Ten-Dollar Proof

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $1,000,000

There are less than five known samples of this ten-dollar proof.

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue

1907 Ultra-High-Relief Double Eagle

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $3,000,000

This coin is considered to be the most beautiful ever struck.

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1822 Half Eagle

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $5,000,000

This five-dollar piece is one of the only three of its kind known to still exist.

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue

1804 Bust Dollar

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: $7,500,000

The 1804 Bust Dollar is considered one of the most famous US coins because of its rarity.

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1906 Barber Double Eagle

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: Priceless

This is a unique experimental coin made during the Colonial Era.

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue

1877 Fifty Dollar Pattern

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: Priceless

This is a unique experimental coin.

»Article: Precious Metals, Rare Mints, and Tales of Intrigue

1787 Brasher Doubloon

Photo: Smithsonian Institution Collection

Estimated Value: Priceless

This is one of the only gold colonial coins to be produced.

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