In the realm of rare coins, a few coins are not only collectibles, but they belong to the league of historical treasures. A few such rare dimes and bicentennial coins have been recently priced at a whopping amount of $234 million per coin. Such coins have acquired huge value based on their rarity, historical relevance, minting mistakes and good condition of preservation.
Let’s learn about those 5 bicentennial coins and rare dimes, whose value has raised a buzz among coin collectors.
1. Liberty Head “Phantom Date” Dime (1873)
This dime, minted by the Philadelphia Mint in 1873, is one of the most rare dimes in the United States. At that time the standard weight of silver coins was being modified at the Mint, and during this process a rare error was made.
The most distinctive characteristic of this coin is its “phantom date,” which seems to hover in the right light. Microscopic inspection showed that it was originally struck from an 1872 die and re-printed from an 1873 die, but something went wrong in the process.
Now, only a single specimen of this coin is known, which was bought in 2016 from a former Mint staff member’s family. The coin is worth $234 million and is perhaps the most valuable object in the world per gram.
2. “Eagle Ascendant” Bicentennial Quarter (1976)
Millions of Bicentennial quarters were made to celebrate America’s 200th birthday, but just seven of them sported a unique error.
In these special coins, the eagle printed on the back appears to be flying upward instead of appearing in horizontal flight as normal. The mistake occurred at the Denver Mint when a die was incorrectly positioned at a 110-degree angle during the minting process.
Now, the sole existing copy of this coin in mint condition belongs to a private collector in Singapore. The coin was bought in 2019 by European and American collectors, but the owner rejected it with an offer of $234 million.
3. “Doubled Liberty” Mercury Dime (1916)
This scarce Mercury dime, which was minted in 1916, has the “Doubled Liberty” effect. This error was made during the minting of coins when the same coin was struck twice, resulting in the figure of Liberty being three-dimensional (3D).
This effect gives the impression that Liberty’s face is elevated from the coin’s surface. Besides, the design of the coin is centered to perfection, and the fasces symbol on the reverse is seen with unmatched clarity.
There are only two certified copies – one is kept at the Smithsonian Museum, and the other is in private hands. It is valued at $234 million in 2023.
4. “Constitution Bicentennial” Pattern Dollar (1987)
This coin was not released as regular currency but was an experimental design intended for the US Constitution’s 200th anniversary.
The design of the coin had a stunning flying eagle over the US Constitution’s Preamble. But it was not ultimately approved and production was suspended.
Just 5 coins of this design were made in.9999 pure gold at the Philadelphia Mint. Four were destroyed, according to government records, but one vanished mysteriously.
A few decades down the line, the coin was discovered in the possession of a retired Treasury official. A court case over its ownership made it to the Supreme Court, and it was finally transferred to a private foundation. In 2023, it was worth $234 million.
5. Winged Liberty War Dime (1942)
During World War II, the U.S. Mint was minting coins with a new metal instead of silver. At that time, a highly uncommon mistake happened and a different design, the “Winged Liberty” dime, was mistakenly manufactured.
The coin featured a larger winged Liberty designed on it compared to the normal design of the Mercury dime, and thus it appeared quite dissimilar from other dimes.
It produced only 30-40 coins in 1942, though a mere 3 of these exist to this day in their authentic forms. One of them was buried in a Cleveland bank vault in 1943 and was recently found.
Because of its proof-like shiny appearance as well as its historical value, it was worth an astonishing $234 million as well.
Conclusion: The New World of Rare Coins
These five precious coins are not only history’s treasures, but are becoming a new kind of asset.
Financial historian Richard Kellerman says, “coins are now viewed not just as collectibles, but as an ultra-asset class.”
Considering the increasing interest in extremely rare coins and the fact that there is less to go around, experts say even this price tag of $234 million might be broken in the future.
Today, all these five coins are not only the collector’s choice, but the most singular combination of money and history.
FAQs
Q1. Why are these rare dimes and bicentennial coins valued at $234 million each?
These coins are extremely rare due to minting errors, historical significance, and pristine preservation, making them highly desirable among elite collectors.
Q2. How many of these ultra-rare coins exist today?
Each of the five featured coins has only one or a few known surviving specimens, adding to their exclusivity and immense value.
Q3. What makes the “Phantom Date” Liberty Head Dime (1873) special?
This dime exhibits a unique doubling effect on the date due to a minting error, with only one known surviving piece in existence.
Q4. Why is the “Eagle Ascendant” Bicentennial Quarter (1976) so valuable?
A rare die rotation error caused the eagle on the reverse to appear as if it is soaring upwards, making it a one-of-a-kind collector’s item.
Q5. Can these rare coins still be found in circulation?
It is highly unlikely, as most known examples are in private collections or museums, but rare coins occasionally surface from old hoards or estates.