Written by: Eric Niedzielski

Over the history of America and the United States Mints (Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, Denver and West Point) many rare and low mintage coins have been made. Some of these coins include the 1804 silver dollar, the 1913 liberty nickel and the 1933 $20 gold double eagle. All of these coins are very popular with all numismatists.

 

 

1804 Silver Dollar

The 1804 silver dollar is one of the most famous rare coins from America. There are 16 known coins which are divided into three main classes: the original First Reverse; Second Reverse, which is a restrike; and the electrotype of an unique plain edge Second Reverse, which resides in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. These coins have the Draped Bust design on the obverse with the date 1804 (thought to have been struck in the 1834 to 1836 period) struck underneath and "Liberty" inscribed above with 13 stars, standing for the original 13 colonies. On the reverse of the coin is the Heraldic Eagle design and the words "United States of America" inscribed around the eagle. The most expensive one was a Class 1 in PF-68 and was auctioned at $4,140,000.

 

 

1913 Liberty Head Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is another of one of the most popular American coins. Today, five of these coins are known. These coins have Liberty Head design on the obverse with the date underneath and 13 stars around Liberty's bust. On the reverse is a wreath around the Roman numeral for five, "V." Also the inscription "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum," and "Cents." The most expensive 1913 nickel was sold for $3,737,500 in PF-64.

 

1933 Double Eagle

The 1933 double eagle ($20 coin) originally had a mintage of 445,000; but in 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt declared that the U.S. would go off the gold standard. When this happened, most 1933 double eagles were melted and it became illegal to own these coins. The U.S. Government seized the few that survived. In 1952, King Farouk of Egypt died and Egypt's later ruling junta sold off his collection, which included one of these precious coins. Later in 2001, the King Farouk specimen was declared the only one legal to own and sold for a whopping $7,590,020 in 2002 in Gem BU.

 

 

1794 Silver Dollar                              

The 1794 silver dollar is the first dollar coins the U.S. made with a mintage of only 1,758. There are two types of this coin the regular silver dollar and one with a silver plug in the middle that is unique. On the obverse is the wonderful Flowing Hair design with the date "Liberty" and 13 stars in between. On the reverse is the small eagle surrounded by a wreath, which has the words "United States of America." The most expensive 1794 dollar was auctioned for $1,207,500 in MS-64, and the unique one with the silver plug was recently auctioned for $10,016,875! This broke the record for most expensive coin in an auction.

These coins are some of the most popular coins in numismatics and will probably still be in the future.