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A Top Ten compilation can be an interesting way to look at things, such as the most popular music, best movies of the year and richest people in the world. So why not the most desirable coins of the United States? Say no more. The chart below is current as of March 2000. Please note that not all images are of the exact specimen in mention (the 1804 dollar and 1913 nickel images are all from the Eliasberg collection). This table has been compiled in order of the highest price realized at public auction. While this makes for an interesting way of looking at some of the most popular and expensive rare coins, keep in mind that some mega-rarities haven't changed hands in decades. I have been maintaining a "highest price realized" list for quite some time now. During the past few years, due mainly to the sale of several famous coin collections, this list has been anything but static. Up until the sales of the 1804 Dollars currently in the number one and two spots, my personal favorite was still in the Top 10. That coin is the unique Brasher Doubloon with the "EB" hallmark on breast. I do have some really nice reproductions from the Gallery Mint Museum - should get me by until I can save up enough to get the real thing! The fact that pieces trading in private treaty are eliminated from the chart affects the results, but to what degree is an unknown. You can see by glancing at the prices realized, that only four coins have broken the million dollar barrier at public auction. But it is a well known fact that coins have traded above this level in private deals. Despite the fact that most recent battles include only 1804 Dollars and 1913 Liberty Head Nickles, I enjoy keeping the chart up to date. In the number one spot at an unbelievable record-breaking price for any single rare coin ever to sell at public auction...
Unquestionably, the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle should be in the list. The Secret Service recently confiscated one of these in a sting operation in 1997. Apparently, a buyer had offered a cool million in order to entice a British coin dealer to sell. The illegal status of the coin is still very controversial. Did your personal favorite make the list? Maybe someday I will expand this list to the top dozen, top twenty or top hundred. Time will tell. Mitch Hight is the owner of Rarity Exchange Company. He has been involved in numismatics for over 30 years and is a life member of the American Numismatic Association. Mr. Hight may be contacted at Rexco, P.O. Box 8123, Colorado Springs, CO 80933 or by email at mitch@coin-gallery.com |
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