11 of the World’s Most Valuable Coins

There are plenty of collectibles around that could grow in value such as baseball cards, stamps and currency. You may have coins worth money laying around your home, valued at much more than the actual currency value. If you’re curious about how much one can be worth, keep reading.

World’s Most Valuable Coins

Here is a closer look at some of the most valuable coins in existence and their most recent auction or sales value.

1. The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

Last sold value: $18.9 million in 2021

The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is currently the most valuable coin in the world. Interestingly enough, it isn’t the rarest — the coins were minted between 1907 and 1933, but many cashed in the gold in exchange for paper money. You may find some Double Eagles but the 1933 is the most valuable due to its sale for $18.9 million in 2021.

2. The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

Last sold value: $10 million in 2013

The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the first official silver-dollar coin minted in the U.S. between 1794 and 1795. The early 1794 release earned top dollar, selling for just over $10 million in 2013 to a Las Vegas collector. Good news — although nearly 2,000 coins were produced in 1794, 130 are estimated to remain. You may be lucky enough to come across one.

3. The 1787 Brasher Doubloon

Last sold value: $9.36 million in 2021

Although the Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the first minted silver dollar in the U.S., the 1787 Brasher Doubloon was the first U.S. gold version. Only seven were produced by Ephraim Brasher, George Washington’s neighbor. The coin that sold for $9.36 million commanded a high price because it’s the only one with Ephraim Brasher’s initials on the eagle’s wing.

4. The 1343 Edward III Florin

Last sold value: £460,000 in 2006, estimated to be worth $6.8 million today

The 1343 Edward III Florin is also known as the Double Leopard and is a medieval coin created in 1343 and 1344. The two still remaining today were found in 1857 while a third coin was found by someone in England using a metal detector. The coin was sold at auction for £460,000 in 2006, but is estimated to be worth $6.8 million today.

5. The 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar

Last sold value: $4.8 million in 2019

The Umayyad gold dinar is the oldest coin in this roundup of valuable coins. It’s believed to have originated in the year 723 AD with an estimated 12 remaining today. According to scholars, the coin’s inscription translates to “Mine of the Commander of the Faithful in the Hijaz.” The last time the Dinar sold was in 2019 for £3.72 million, or the equivalent of $4.8 million.

6. Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

Last sold value: $4.4 million in 2010

This dramatic, oversized coin weighs 220 pounds and holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the world’s largest gold coin. Only six were made, with one selling for €3.7 million in 2010. Interestingly enough, the size and weight didn’t deter thieves. One was stolen in 2017 from Berlin’s Bode Museum.

7. Liberty Head V Nickel

Last sold value: $4.2 million in 2022

Back to U.S. coins, the Liberty Head V Nickel is another valuable coin. It doesn’t exist in the U.S. Mint’s records but five 1913 Liberty Head V Nickels are in existence. It was replaced by the Indian Head nickel but the rare Liberty Head Vs are highly sought after by collectors. Two are in museum collections at the Smithsonian and ANA Money Museum. The most recent sale of the coin was $4.2 million in 2022.

8. The 1894-S Barber Dime

Last sold value: $1.99 million in 2016

Very few 1894-S Barber Dimes were minted. According to experts, only 24. However, nine have been discovered, meaning you may be one of the lucky few to find one of the remaining 15. And if it’s any motivation to start rifling through your change or investing in a metal detector, one of the rare dimes sold for $1.99 million in 2016.

9. The 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny

Last sold value: $1.75 million in 2010

Pennies were always minted with copper. But during World War II, copper and nickel were needed for other purposes and the U.S. Mint produced 1943 pennies with steel. Although the run was nothing special, a batch was accidentally created using copper. The highest-sold penny was a 1943-D graded PCGS MS64 Brown, selling for $1.75 million in 2010.

10. The 1893 Morgan Silver Dollar

Last sold value: $550,000

A second silver dollar makes the list of coins worth money. Minted between 1878 and 1904 with an additional run in 1921, the most valuable are the 1893 editions due to the limited number of 100,000. Despite the relatively large run compared to other coins, one can fetch as much as $550,000.

11. The Sacagawea Cheerios Dollar

Last sold value: $25,000

It isn’t a typo — Cheerios distributed a coin in 2000 in 5,500 boxes of cereal. The promotion was in conjunction with a U.S. Mint release. Of the thousands of coins, less than 100 had an enhanced tail-feather design that collectors are in search of — and willing to pay as much as $25,000 for.

Takeaway

Certain coins are worth considerably more than their face value or the value they’d fetch for their gold and silver content. As you may have noted, many of the coins worth money on this list were released in larger numbers and could still be circulating today.

Keep an eye out for a treasure — or start your own coin collection with less-expensive but still valuable coins.

FAQ

• How do I find out if a coin is worth money?

  • Websites such as the U.S. Mint, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation or the American Numismatic Association are great sources to learn more about the value of coins.

• What year coins are worth keeping?

  • Knowing what year coins are worth keeping depends on the coin. Do your research first to know what to look for.

• What coins should I look for that are worth money?

  • Besides the 11 valuable coins listed in this guide, there are quarters and pennies that could be worth money. Websites such as the U.S. Mint offer lists and news on what coins are most popular.

• Is there a free app to scan coins for value?

  • Coinoscope is a free app that can scan and recognize coins. Take a picture of the coin with your phone camera and the app will list matching coins.

Data is accurate as of Dec. 21, 2022, and is subject to change.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 11 of the World’s Most Valuable Coins