The PCGS MS65 Farouk-Weitzman specimen featured in the 2021 sale. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
The Farouk-Weitzman coin brought the highest public auction price in this selection. Its exceptional legal history makes it the sole 1933 double eagle authorized for private ownership.
What makes this one different
The 1933 date is crucial. Other Saint-Gaudens double eagles share the design, but not this coin's rarity, provenance or ownership history.
021787 Brasher Doubloon, EB on WingEarly American gold doubloonNotable auction sale$9,360,000NGC MS65 Star; CAC
NGC photograph of the Partrick specimen featured in the 2021 sale. Photo: NGC
1787 Brasher Doubloon, EB on Wing
New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher made these coins before the U.S. Mint existed. The Partrick example is a landmark of early American gold collecting, not a federal Mint issue.
What makes this one different
This New York-style variety places Brasher's EB punch on the eagle's wing. It must not be confused with the distinct EB-on-breast variety or modern replicas.
Only three 1822 half eagles are known, and two belong to the Smithsonian. This is the lone example available for private ownership, making a date alone an extraordinary collecting challenge.
What makes this one different
Identify the 1822 date and $5 denomination. Age, a gold color or a similar Capped Bust portrait does not establish this exceptionally rare issue.
PCGS MS67 reference photograph of the finest-known Philadelphia Paquet reverse double eagle. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1861 Double Eagle, Paquet Reverse
An experimental reverse by Anthony Paquet created one of the great gold rarities. Only two Philadelphia examples are known; the Norweb specimen is the finer survivor.
What makes this one different
Look for the Paquet reverse's tall lettering and correct Philadelphia variety. The more available 1861-S Paquet and ordinary 1861 reverse are different issues.
Exact Bass benchmark coin. The current certificate says AU50, while the 2023 auction catalog and PCGS auction record say SP50; the benchmark retains the sale classification. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1870-S Three-Dollar Gold Piece
The 1870-S three-dollar piece is represented by the exceptional specimen sold from the Bass collection in 2023. Its rarity outweighs its substantial surface impairments.
What makes this one different
The benchmark coin has a documented history of graffiti, jewelry use and cleaning. Its special status is not a grade comparison for an ordinary three-dollar coin.
The 2023 auction and PCGS Auction Prices list SP50; the current PCGS certificate 46095412 displays AU50. The same certificate links to the $5,520,000 sale, so the benchmark preserves the auction classification. The coin's engraving and historical surface impairments are material.
PCGS PR65CAM Bass specimen. This certificate is linked by Heritage's 2022 benchmark lot 11052; exact sale coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1821 Capped Bust Half Eagle, Proof
An early proof half eagle is a special-manufacture rarity rather than simply a high-grade circulation coin. The selected auction records a certified Cameo example.
What makes this one different
Proof attribution requires examination of dies and surfaces. Bright fields on a regular half eagle do not establish proof manufacture.
PCGS MS66 reference example. The pictured specimen is not asserted to be either auction lot listed here. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
The Denver-mint 1927 double eagle is a major regular-issue gold rarity. Two public results are shown so a newer sale does not erase the higher, differently graded benchmark.
What makes this one different
The D mint mark distinguishes this issue from a Philadelphia 1927 double eagle. Authentication is essential because adding or altering a mint mark can imitate a rarity.
PCGS PR69 Bass specimen with inverted edge letters; the certificate's sale history identifies the $4.32 million August 2023 benchmark. Exact sale coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle, Inverted Edge Letters
The edge-lettering orientation identifies a distinct Ultra High Relief variety. It is separate from normal lettering and the earlier sans-serif edge experiment.
What makes this one different
Inspect the edge as well as both faces. Do not confuse Ultra High Relief with the more available 1907 High Relief or 2009 modern issue.
PCGS PR67CAM 1825/4/1 proof. This certificate is linked by the benchmark Stack's Bowers auction lot; exact sale coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1825/4/1 Capped Bust Half Eagle, Proof
This early proof combines an attributed overdate with special manufacture. The multi-million-dollar result concerns the proof issue, not every 1825 half eagle.
What makes this one different
Verify the overdate and proof die pairing under magnification. The underlying date digits alone do not establish proof status.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR66+CAM specimen, certificate 46092588; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1829 Small Size Capped Bust Half Eagle, Proof
The 1829 Small Size proof belongs to the revised, smaller-format half eagle design. It is genuinely distinct from the Large Size proof of the same year.
What makes this one different
Confirm the smaller-format type and proof attribution together. Size and date should be checked against a certified reference.
151787 Brasher Doubloon, EB on BreastEarly American gold doubloonNotable auction sale$2,990,000NGC XF45
Representative same-issue PCGS AU50 specimen, certificate 50264695; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1787 Brasher Doubloon, EB on Breast
Brasher's EB punch on the eagle's breast separates this New York-style issue from the wing-punch variety. The benchmark is its documented 2005 public auction sale.
What makes this one different
Locate the EB punch and confirm the specimen's established identity. Later private-sale reports are not included in this auction benchmark.
Later private transactions are excluded. The benchmark retains the NGC XF45 grade reported for the public 2005 auction, not a later PCGS grade.
Representative same-issue NGC MS64 specimen; not asserted to be the PCGS MS66+ 2015 benchmark coin. Photo: NGC
1795 Capped Bust Eagle, Thirteen Leaves
The first-year eagle appears in distinct reverse-leaf varieties. This benchmark concerns the Thirteen Leaves issue in exceptional Mint State condition.
What makes this one different
Attribute the leaves with a verified reverse reference. A Nine Leaves coin or a lower-grade Thirteen Leaves example requires its own comparison.
Representative same-issue NGC PF67 Cameo Paramount specimen sold in 2021; not asserted to be the 2013 benchmark coin. Photo: NGC
1880 Coiled Hair Stella
The four-dollar Stella was an experimental denomination, not a regular circulation issue. The Coiled Hair design is distinct from the Flowing Hair pattern.
What makes this one different
Confirm the 1880 date, Coiled Hair portrait and genuine pattern manufacture. Color or a four-dollar inscription does not authenticate a Stella.
191854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle$5 gold; San FranciscoNotable auction sale$2,400,000PCGS XF45
Representative same-issue PCGS AU58+ specimen, certificate 28572787; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle
The first San Francisco half-eagle date is an exceptional rarity. This benchmark concerns a certified circulated survivor rather than a Mint State coin.
What makes this one different
Authenticate the S mint mark and known specimen identity. A worn genuine example can be extremely valuable, but an added mint mark is not.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR64CAM specimen, certificate 24326309; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1855-S Three-Dollar Gold Piece, Branch-Mint Proof
This San Francisco special strike is represented once, consolidating overlapping proof listings. The selected benchmark is the higher verified February 2023 sale.
What makes this one different
The S mint mark is not enough to establish proof status. Do not count Cameo or different grading-service descriptions as additional issues.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR66CAM specimen, certificate 25376953; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1879 Coiled Hair Stella
The 1879 Coiled Hair Stella is distinct from the Flowing Hair design and from the 1880 Coiled Hair issue. A verified 2026 auction result updates the older index figure.
What makes this one different
Verify both date and portrait design. Cameo suffixes describe the specimen's surfaces, not another Stella variety.
251786 Brasher Doubloon, Lima StyleEarly American gold doubloon; Lima-style designNotable auction sale$2,100,000NGC MS61
NGC obverse photograph of the Partrick MS61 specimen sold for $2.1 million in January 2021; exact benchmark coin. Photo: NGC
1786 Brasher Doubloon, Lima Style
This Brasher-made early American coin borrows a Lima-style design but is not an unrelated foreign-minted coin. The benchmark is the Partrick specimen's 2021 auction sale.
What makes this one different
Specialist attribution must establish Brasher manufacture, not merely a resemblance to Spanish colonial gold. Keep it distinct from the 1787 New York-style varieties.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR65+CAM specimen, certificate 44156128; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1874 Bickford Eagle Pattern, Judd-1373
The Bickford ten-dollar proposal is a gold pattern with a distinctive international-value concept. Judd-1373 is separate from related patterns struck in other metals.
What makes this one different
Verify the Judd number and gold composition. A similar design in copper or with gilding is not this issue.
This special proof is separate from regular 1921 double eagles. The benchmark is the NGC PF64+ example reported sold in August 2021.
What makes this one different
Proof status depends on documented manufacture and specialist examination. A reflective or unusually colored 1921 coin is not automatically a Roman-finish proof.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR67+DCAM specimen, certificate 31530062; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1835 Classic Head Half Eagle, Proof
Early Classic Head gold proofs form a specialized collecting group. This high-grade proof sale is not a guide value for the circulation-strike 1835 half eagle.
What makes this one different
Confirm the $5 denomination and proof attribution. The smaller Classic Head quarter eagle is a separate coin despite a related design.
29Photo not reproduced1861 Liberty Head Double Eagle, Proof$20 gold; proof; standard reverseNotable auction sale$1,800,000PCGS PR66DCAM
Open the source record ↗A verified photograph is not reproduced here. The linked source documents this coin and its sale.
1861 Liberty Head Double Eagle, Proof
This standard-reverse proof is distinct from the Philadelphia Paquet reverse rarity. The benchmark concerns special manufacture and high-grade preservation.
What makes this one different
Verify the regular reverse and proof status. A Paquet reverse, a San Francisco coin and a Philadelphia business strike are separate issues.
321920-S Indian Head Eagle$10 gold; San FranciscoNotable auction sale$1,725,000PCGS MS67
Representative same-issue PCGS MS67+ specimen, certificate 06666134; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1920-S Indian Head Eagle
The benchmark documents a particularly high-grade survivor of this San Francisco eagle date. It is an auction result for one specimen, not a general date value.
What makes this one different
Check the S mint mark and independent grading. Surface disturbance or light wear can substantially change the comparison.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR68 specimen, certificate 31671893; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, Small Edge Letters Proof
This Arabic-date, low-relief proof is distinct from the Roman-numeral Ultra High Relief experiments. Its small edge letters and special manufacture define the issue.
What makes this one different
Inspect the date style, relief and edge lettering, then verify proof status. Do not substitute an ordinary low-relief 1907 circulation strike.
361933 Indian Head Eagle$10 goldNotable auction sale$1,586,000PCGS MS65; CAC
Representative same-issue PCGS MS66+ specimen, certificate 33415127; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1933 Indian Head Eagle
The final Indian Head eagle date is a recognized rarity. Heritage's April 2026 sale provides a newer and higher verified benchmark than the stale PCGS summary.
What makes this one different
Confirm the $10 denomination. This coin is not the 1933 $20 double eagle and does not share that specimen's unique ownership history.
371849-C Gold Dollar, Open Wreath$1 gold; CharlotteNotable auction sale$1,560,000PCGS MS62
Representative same-issue PCGS MS62 specimen, certificate 30355344; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1849-C Gold Dollar, Open Wreath
The Open Wreath reverse distinguishes this Charlotte gold dollar from the Closed Wreath issue. Its gold denomination places it in this category rather than silver dollars.
What makes this one different
Authenticate the C mint mark and the open wreath configuration. Do not identify the variety from the date alone.
391856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle, Specimen$20 gold; New Orleans; specimen strikeNotable auction sale$1,437,500PCGS SP63
Representative same-issue PCGS SP63 specimen, certificate 14648274; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle, Specimen
The selected 1856-O coin was certified as a specimen strike. Its benchmark should retain that classification instead of presenting it as an ordinary circulated example.
What makes this one different
Check the O mint mark and the specimen attribution. A New Orleans date-and-mint match alone does not establish special-strike status.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR67DCAM specimen, certificate 46092969; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1835 Classic Head Quarter Eagle, Proof
The special-strike quarter eagle is distinct from both circulation strikes and the larger same-date half eagle. The 2023 result concerns a high-grade proof.
What makes this one different
Check the denomination and expert proof attribution. A similar Classic Head portrait on a $5 coin is not a match.
451860 Liberty Head Double Eagle, Proof$20 gold; proofNotable auction sale$1,200,000PCGS PR65+CAM
Representative same-issue PCGS PR65+CAM specimen, certificate 46094665; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1860 Liberty Head Double Eagle, Proof
The selected benchmark concerns a proof Liberty Head double eagle, not a circulation-strike 1860 coin. Special manufacture and preservation drive the comparison.
What makes this one different
Verify proof status through specialist examination. Reflective fields or polishing do not establish proof manufacture.
The article identifies the pictured 1860 Judd-271 gold pattern and explicitly credits PCGS TrueView. Representative same issue; exact lot identity not independently asserted. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1860 Half Eagle Pattern, Judd-271
Judd-271 is a gold half-eagle pattern, not an ordinary 1860 circulation coin. The benchmark is the realized January 2024 auction price, not a later guide estimate.
What makes this one different
Match the Judd attribution and metal. Similar experimental designs in other compositions are separate patterns.
Representative same-issue PCGS PR58 specimen, certificate 25095139; not asserted to be the benchmark auction coin. Photo: PCGS TrueView
1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle, Sans-Serif Edge
The earlier sans-serif edge style distinguishes this experiment from the other Ultra High Relief varieties. Older references catalog it as Judd-1778; the Heritage lot uses Judd-1907.
What makes this one different
The identifying feature is the edge font, not merely lettering orientation. Inspect the edge against a verified reference and distinguish later 1907-style lettering.
Compare the same date, mint mark, variety, strike and grade before comparing prices. A spectacular auction result is evidence of one transaction, not an appraisal or a promise.
How this list is put together
Seven denomination lists contain 50 distinct coin issues each, for 350 researched entries. The overall top 50 is drawn from that collection. Lists are ordered by the highest documented sale included for each entry, not a current price estimate. This is a curated selection of notable U.S. and early American auctions, not an exhaustive census of every transaction or a live auction feed. Distinct dates, mint marks, varieties and strike types can appear separately; different grades of the same issue do not fill extra places. Museum-only coins, unsold bids, estimates and private transactions are excluded from the ranking.
Each sale links to its auctioneer or a grading-service record, with the grade reported at that sale. Newer documented sales appear separately when verified; they can involve another specimen or grade and do not show a like-for-like price change. Sorting by newest uses the newest sale included in each entry, not a claim that every auction has been searched.
Buyer-premium treatment is stated with each result. Historical dollars are not adjusted for inflation; taxes and shipping are not assumed included. Sources can report an auction's closing date instead of the individual session date. We use the session date where established and otherwise show the verified month.
Why isn't the unique 1849 double eagle ranked?
A museum rarity can attract large estimates without a comparable public sale. This resource ranks documented auction transactions, so it does not turn an estimate for a Smithsonian-held coin into a sold price.
Is my coin worth the price shown?
Not necessarily. The precise variety, authenticity, surfaces, grade and provenance matter. Many similar-looking coins are common. Do not clean a possible rarity; compare its details and get an independent authentication or appraisal before treating a headline result as your coin's value.
Photographs & corrections
These are real coin photographs, credited to their sources in every entry. The caption identifies the exact sold specimen where established; otherwise it identifies a reference example. No AI-generated coin details are used. CoinHub's editorial selections and descriptions are independent of the grading services and auction houses.
Have a newer public sale or a correction? Send CoinHub the auction link and lot number. The checked date changes only after editorial review, not automatically when the calendar changes.
1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle$20 gold
Notable auction sale$18,872,250
PCGS MS65
1787 Brasher Doubloon, EB on WingEarly American gold doubloon
Notable auction sale$9,360,000
NGC MS65 Star; CAC
1822 Capped Bust Half Eagle$5 gold
Notable auction sale$8,400,000
PCGS AU50
1861 Double Eagle, Paquet Reverse$20 gold; Philadelphia
Notable auction sale$7,200,000
PCGS MS67; CAC
1870-S Three-Dollar Gold Piece$3 gold; San Francisco; specimen strike
Notable auction sale$5,520,000
PCGS SP50
1804 Plain 4 Eagle, Proof$10 gold; proof
Notable auction sale$5,280,000
PCGS PR65+DCAM
1821 Capped Bust Half Eagle, Proof$5 gold; proof
Notable auction sale$4,620,000
PCGS PR65CAM; CAC
1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle$20 gold; Denver
Notable auction sale$4,440,000Newer sale: $3,840,000 (Jan 2025)
PCGS MS66
1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle, Inverted Edge Letters$20 gold; proof; inverted 1907-style edge
Notable auction sale$4,320,000
PCGS PR69
1825/4/1 Capped Bust Half Eagle, Proof$5 gold; proof overdate
Notable auction sale$4,080,000
PCGS PR67CAM
1829 Small Size Capped Bust Half Eagle, Proof$5 gold; proof; small-size type
Notable auction sale$3,840,000
PCGS PR66+CAM
1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle, Normal Edge Letters$20 gold; proof; normal 1907-style edge
Notable auction sale$3,600,000
NGC PF68
1795 Capped Bust Eagle, Nine Leaves$10 gold
Notable auction sale$3,360,000
PCGS MS63+
1798 Capped Bust Half Eagle, Small Eagle$5 gold
Notable auction sale$3,000,000
PCGS AU55
1787 Brasher Doubloon, EB on BreastEarly American gold doubloon
Notable auction sale$2,990,000
NGC XF45
1829 Large Size Capped Bust Half Eagle, Proof$5 gold; proof; large-size type
Notable auction sale$2,880,000
PCGS PR66+
1795 Capped Bust Eagle, Thirteen Leaves$10 gold
Notable auction sale$2,585,000Newer sale: $516,000 (Aug 18, 2021)
PCGS MS66+
1880 Coiled Hair Stella$4 gold pattern; proof
Notable auction sale$2,570,000Newer sale: $1,860,000 (Feb 24, 2021)
NGC PR67
1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle$5 gold; San Francisco
Notable auction sale$2,400,000
PCGS XF45
1907 Indian Head Eagle, Rolled Edge Proof$10 gold; proof
Notable auction sale$2,400,000
PCGS PR67
1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle$2.50 gold
Notable auction sale$2,350,000
PCGS MS65
1796 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle, No Stars$2.50 gold
Notable auction sale$2,160,000
PCGS MS62+
1855-S Three-Dollar Gold Piece, Branch-Mint Proof$3 gold; branch-mint proof
Notable auction sale$2,160,000
PCGS PR64CAM
1879 Coiled Hair Stella$4 gold pattern; proof
Notable auction sale$2,135,000
NGC PR67CAM
1786 Brasher Doubloon, Lima StyleEarly American gold doubloon; Lima-style design
Notable auction sale$2,100,000
NGC MS61
1874 Bickford Eagle Pattern, Judd-1373$10 gold pattern; proof
Notable auction sale$2,040,000
PCGS PR65DCAM
1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, Roman-Finish Proof$20 gold; Roman-finish proof
Notable auction sale$2,010,000
NGC PF64+
1835 Classic Head Half Eagle, Proof$5 gold; proof
Notable auction sale$1,800,000
PCGS PR67+DCAM
1911-D Indian Head Eagle$10 gold; Denver
Notable auction sale$1,800,000
PCGS MS66
1824/1 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle, Proof$2.50 gold; proof overdate
Notable auction sale$1,740,000
PCGS PR67
1920-S Indian Head Eagle$10 gold; San Francisco
Notable auction sale$1,725,000
PCGS MS67
1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, Small Edge Letters Proof$20 gold; low-relief satin proof
Notable auction sale$1,680,000
PCGS PR68
1870-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle$20 gold; Carson City
Notable auction sale$1,620,000
PCGS AU53
1933 Indian Head Eagle$10 gold
Notable auction sale$1,586,000
PCGS MS65; CAC
1849-C Gold Dollar, Open Wreath$1 gold; Charlotte
Notable auction sale$1,560,000
PCGS MS62
1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, Regular Strike$20 gold
Notable auction sale$1,560,000
PCGS MS66
1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle, Specimen$20 gold; New Orleans; specimen strike
Notable auction sale$1,437,500
PCGS SP63
1796 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle, Stars$2.50 gold
Notable auction sale$1,380,000
PCGS MS65
1833 Capped Bust Half Eagle, Large Date Proof$5 gold; proof
Notable auction sale$1,351,250
PCGS PR67
1850 Baldwin & Co. Ten Dollars$10 territorial gold; California
Notable auction sale$1,260,000
PCGS MS63+
1855 Kellogg & Co. Fifty Dollars, Proof$50 territorial gold; proof
Notable auction sale$1,260,000
PCGS PR64CAM
1835 Classic Head Quarter Eagle, Proof$2.50 gold; proof
Notable auction sale$1,200,000
PCGS PR67DCAM
1860 Liberty Head Double Eagle, Proof$20 gold; proof
Notable auction sale$1,200,000
PCGS PR65+CAM
1860 Half Eagle Pattern, Judd-271$5 gold pattern; proof
Notable auction sale$1,140,000
PCGS PR64+DCAM
1907 Indian Head Eagle, Rolled Edge Regular Strike$10 gold; rolled-edge regular strike
Notable auction sale$1,140,000
PCGS MS67
1798/7 Capped Bust Eagle, 7 by 6 Stars$10 gold; overdate
Notable auction sale$1,110,000
PCGS MS62
1870-CC Liberty Head Eagle$10 gold; Carson City
Notable auction sale$1,080,000
PCGS AU58
1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle, Sans-Serif Edge$20 gold pattern; Judd-1907; proof
Notable auction sale$1,057,500
PCGS PR58
