The world’s most expensive coin, valued at $10 million, is drawing crowds in Europe

A 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar that is valued at $10 million—known as the world’s most expensive coin—is touring through Europe and drawing crowds.

The coin, which some experts classify as the first coin of its kind struck by the U.S. Mint, is featured in an exhibition that also includes an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.

A $10 million coin and a priceless piece of U.S. history: that’s quite the power couple.

The exhibit drew nearly 4,000 visitors during its stay at the National Museum in Prague from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12.

Edited: self promotion
Why such a high value? What’s so special about the coin?

Couple things:

1. Just 2,000 1794 dollars were struck by Mint operators in Philadelphia. They were struck with a hand-turned screw press. 1,758 of the coins were deemed to be of sufficient quality to be delivered Oct. 15, 1794, to the Mint’s treasurer, Nicholas Way, by Chief Coiner Henry Voigt.

So there’s not a lot of these coins out there to begin with.

2. This particular 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar is the only one that was struck with a silver plug in its center. The plug filled a hole pierced into the blank planchet (the piece of metal that becomes the coin) before it was struck. The planchet was underweight, so the plug was meant to bring it up to standard weight.

Edited : Spam and self promotion/

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Nice but isn't the Farooq 33 double eagle worth more?

 

The coin is very cool...

But that piece of paper can't be bought.

I vote for the Declaration.

(Sorry, Coin World!)

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 1933 Double Eagle from the collection of King Farouk sold for about $7.5 million.

Chris

 

I vote the dollar coin for these reasons.

1. I am a coin collector.
2. The declaration of independence would never be allowed to leave the country, but it is awesome that famous coins will be shared all over the world. I mean, the Declaration of Independence would never leave the museum, but Louis Eliasberg's collection will!
3. While the Declaration of Independence is very important, the silver dollar, one of the most history rich coins in the ENTIRE NATION is pretty incredible. I mean, the DOI will only be written and signed once, while the silver dollar will be made from 1794 all the way to 1921. That is 125 years people!

So, I voted the silver dollar.

 

The Farouk example actually sold for $7.59 million in 2002: http://www.coinworld.com/voices/steve-roach/2015/04/langbord_case_what.html

 

This is the big one. The 33 double eagle is number two. I think the 1804 Silver Dollar, group 1 (non-restrike) is number 3.

 

Technically that is not the worlds most expensive coin even though it was the first coin to break 10 million at auction. It is the world's most expensive numismatic coin but the Perth Mint in Australia is the record holder with the worlds largest gold coin that has a melt value around 42 million right now I believe.

That said the dollar is clearly in a league of its own when it comes to numismatics. Either Legend or one of its owners was the winning bidder and current owner. There was a thread on the CU forums a while back discussing it at the time with the thoughts from the owner contributing.

 

Would love to see that thread!

 

I may have been incorrect about him still being the current owner I am not 100 percent sure but they were the winner at auction.

http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=87430

The first link is the registry set the dollar is in and the next link is they registry sets they've put together. Some absolute stunners in them.

http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/othersets.aspx?m=83

 

I have a picture of that 'coin' somewhere, I saw it at one of the ANA shows.

 

Which exhibit item is cooler?

1. * The $10 million 1974 Flowing Hair dollar

I voted for the dollar, since there is no chance of ever owning the other.

[fat chance of owning the $, but fun to dream. I gotta go & buy a lottery ticket.]

 

So today it would logically be worth what 30 MM +/-

 

Not really. Coins at that level can have wild swings depending on whether or not an extra bidder shows up or a bidder sits out.

But with the uncertainly surrounding the Langboard's double eagles bidders may want to see that play out before shelling out record prices for that one. If their group is deemed legal NGC graded one higher and a few others at the same grade. Of course bidders at that level will grade and rank the coins themselves, but I do not see how more of them being legal could do anything but decrease the value of the first one.

 

Sure but I think the Farooq example and the history ibued upon it will trump any top pop if those are deemed legal. However this is all a purely speculative exercise in theory though until the if's and when's play out

 

That shouldn't count as a "coin". Just my opinion.

 

One of the reasons I chose to live in the city where the Declaration was written, voted and signed is so I could visit the room where it happened whenever I want. The Dollar is the result of history; the Declaration is history. My preference should be clear.

 

I would love to see that in person someday just to be able to comprehend the size up close.

Exactly you never know unless it happens. I could see some buyers wanting the original. Buyers could also just simply decide they like that one the best out of all of them too. If they did get released though I would be surprised if any of them broke 7 mil again.

They certainly aren't comparable in anyway, just thought it was an interesting tidbit

 

Definitely interesting.

 

I believe there are 15 known examples of the Declaration, there probably is not another 1794 dollar like that one. And I think betwixt the dollar and the Farouk $20 from 1933 I would choose the dollar - it doesn't have bad juju associated with it.