Here are five rare coins worth an incredible $234 million per coin. These coins are not just rare, but also historically significant and extremely unique. What makes them so valuable is their connection to historical events, minting mistakes, and exceptionally good condition. Let’s take a closer look at these coins.
1.Liberty Head “Phantom Date” Dime (1873)
This coin was minted at the Philadelphia Mint in 1873, when changes were being made to the weight and design of US coins. During this change, a mysterious mistake occurred, causing the coin’s date to be oddly marked twice. When this coin is viewed from different angles, its date appears to be floating in the air. This mistake was caused by a mess with the 1872 die and then the new 1873 die not fitting correctly.
Only three such coins were ever made, but two were accidentally melted after a mistake was discovered during the minting process. Only one coin survived, which was preserved for decades by the family of a former Mint employee. When it was identified, it fetched a value of $234 million due to its rarity and historical significance.
2. “Eagle Ascendant” Bicentennial Quarter (1976)
Billions of Bicentennial quarters (25-cent coins) were minted in 1976 to celebrate America’s 200th anniversary of independence. But only seven of them had a die rotation error. This error caused the eagle on the reverse of the coin to have a different design than the regular coins.
The regular coins showed the eagle flying straight up, but this particular mistake made the eagle appear to be flying upward. This mistake happened for a short time at the Denver Mint and was soon fixed, but by then these rare coins had gone into the hands of a few people.
Today only one coin remains in perfect condition, which was purchased by a Singaporean collector in 2019. The rarity and mistake of this coin has earned it an incredible value of $234 million.
3. “Doubled Liberty” Mercury Dime (1916)
The 1916 Mercury Dime is considered very rare, but the “Doubled Liberty” version is even more unique and expensive. This coin was created due to a die defect, in which a double effect can be seen in the face and profile of Liberty. This mistake causes the coin to look like three-dimensional (3-D), which makes it different from all other coins.
Only two such coins have been found – one is kept in the Smithsonian Museum, while the other is with a private collector. Its amazing design, rarity and historical significance helped it reach a value of $234 million.
4. “Constitution Bicentennial” Pattern Dollar (1987)
In 1987, a special dollar coin was planned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the US Constitution. The design of this coin depicted an impressive eagle above the Preamble of the US Constitution. However, this design was later rejected and it was never officially released.
However, only 5 test coins (pattern coins) of this design were made, 4 of which were destroyed by the US Mint. But one coin disappeared under mysterious circumstances and was found many years later with a former government official. This coin is now owned by a private foundation after a legal battle and is estimated to be worth $234 million.
5. “Winged Liberty” War Dime (1942)
In 1942, during World War II, the U.S. Mint began changing the alloy of silver coins. During this time, a mistake created a few coins that had a unique combination of design elements.
This coin had the design of the regular Mercury dime but with enlarged wings, making it look more imposing than before. In addition, the reverse of the coin featured a deeply embossed design, which is not usually the case.
The production of this coin by mistake lasted only a few minutes, so very few coins came into existence. Only three such coins have been found so far, with the most perfect coin having been kept safe in a bank vault since 1943. Its excellent condition and rarity have earned it a value of $234 million.
New heights in the world of rare coins
The value of these five coins proves that coin collecting can be an investment, not just a hobby. Earlier, the price of rare coins used to go up to a few million dollars, but now these coins are reaching the category of billions of dollars.
Economic experts believe that as the demand for rare coins increases in the world, their value will also keep increasing. Especially wealthy investors and collectors have now started looking at these coins as a traditional investment.
In short, these five coins are not just pieces of metal, but symbols of history, rarity and artistry, which are counted among the most expensive coins in the world today.
FAQs
What is the typical price of a Bicentennial quarter?
The average value of bicentennial quarters sits between $0.25 (25 cents) and $5 however collectors may obtain $10,000 or above for specific variations in optimal state.
Will the value of such coins increase in the future?
Yes, numismatics is a growing market. As demand for old and rare coins increases and availability decreases, their value is likely to increase.
Can I invest in coins?
Yes, but for this, one should have good knowledge of coins. Consult an expert before investing in rare and historical coins and buy only certified coins.
Who buys these coins?
Wealthy collectors, investors, and museums around the world are interested in these rare coins. Some coins are also held by private foundations.
Are these coins available for sale?
Some of these coins have been sold at auctions, while some are kept safe in private collections. If such a coin comes up for sale, it can fetch millions of dollars.