The headline story refers to the legendary 1933 Double Eagle, a United States twenty‑dollar gold coin that sold at Sotheby’s in New York for about £13.3 million in June 2021, setting a world record for the most expensive coin ever sold at auction. This single example is also unique because it is the only 1933 Double Eagle that private collectors are legally allowed to own, which gives it a special place in numismatic history.
The coin behind the record
The “Most Expensive Coin Ever” is the 1933 Double Eagle, originally struck by the U.S. Mint as a regular twenty‑dollar gold coin just as the country was leaving the gold standard. Although more than 400,000 pieces were minted, they were never officially released into circulation and most were ordered to be melted down after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s gold recall.
Why only one is legal to own
Because the 1933 Double Eagles were never formally issued as currency, the U.S. government treated surviving pieces as stolen property rather than legitimate collectibles. After decades of legal disputes and seizures, a single coin was formally monetised and authorised for private ownership as part of a settlement, making it the only specimen that a private individual may legally hold.
The record‑breaking sale
On 9 June 2021, this unique Double Eagle went under the hammer at Sotheby’s in New York and realised $18,872,250, which corresponded to roughly £13.3 million at the time. The sale price shattered previous auction records for coins and was later recognised by Guinness World Records as the highest price ever achieved by a coin at public auction.
Key facts about the 1933 Double Eagle
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Year and denomination | 1933 United States $20 Double Eagle gold coin |
| Auction house and date | Sotheby’s, New York, 9 June 2021 |
| Realised price | $18,872,250 (about £13,334,400) including fees |
| Legal ownership status | Only one example is authorised for private ownership |
| Official recognition | Listed as the world’s most expensive coin at auction |
Design, artistry and symbolism
The obverse of the 1933 Double Eagle features Liberty striding forward with a torch and olive branch, surrounded by rays of sunlight, a classic design by sculptor Augustus Saint‑Gaudens that many collectors regard as one of the most beautiful in U.S. coinage. The reverse shows a soaring eagle above a rising sun, a powerful symbol of American optimism and progress during a turbulent economic era.
Rarity, history and value
Rarity alone does not explain the Double Eagle’s value; its dramatic backstory, involving secret hoards, government investigations and international court cases, has turned it into a numismatic legend. Collectors are willing to pay extraordinary sums for objects that combine extreme scarcity, legal uniqueness and a narrative that connects them to broader events such as the Great Depression and the end of the classical gold standard.
What this sale means for collectors
The £13.3 million hammer price highlighted how the top tier of the coin market increasingly overlaps with fine art and rare collectibles, where provenance and storytelling matter as much as metal content. It also reminded everyday collectors that even modest coins can hold historical value, encouraging more people to explore numismatics as both a hobby and a specialised investment field.
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FAQs
Q1. Which coin is referred to as the “Most Expensive Coin Ever” in this context?
It is the 1933 Double Eagle, a twenty‑dollar U.S. gold coin that sold for about £13.3 million at Sotheby’s in 2021.
Q2. Why is only one 1933 Double Eagle legal to own?
Because the coins were never officially released, the U.S. government considers almost all surviving examples illegal to possess, and only one was granted legal private‑ownership status through a formal agreement.
Q3. Where and when did the record sale happen?
The record‑setting auction took place at Sotheby’s in New York on 9 June 2021.
