🕷️ Crawler Inspector

 [Skip to main content](https://www.livescience.com/11363-top-10-rare-coins.html#main) Live Science Plus \- Join our community JOIN NOW 10 Member Features 24/7 Access Available 25K+ Active Members  Exclusive Newsletters Science news direct to your inbox  Member Competitions Win exclusive prizes  Exclusive Content Premium articles & videos  Early Access First to see new features  Private Forums Connect with members  Monthly Rewards Surprise gifts & perks GET LIVE SCIENCE PLUS It's quick and easy to access Live Science Plus, simply enter your email below. We'll send you a confirmation and sign you up for our daily newsletter, keeping you up to date with the latest science news. By submitting your information you agree to the [Terms & Conditions](https://futureplc.com/future-member-terms-and-conditions/) and [Privacy Policy](https://futureplc.com/privacy-policy/) and are aged 16 or over. FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information. [Find out more](https://www.livescience.com/11363-top-10-rare-coins.html)  Welcome to Live Science Plus \! Hi , Your membership journey starts here. Keep exploring and earning more as a member. [MY ACCOUNT](https://www.livescience.com/my-account) ***  Earn your first badge Complete 1 quiz to unlock your first badge. Keep earning badges Explore ways to get more involved as a member.  Live Science Quizzes Quick, fun science challenges. [Play Now](https://www.livescience.com/quizzes)  Science Crosswords Short, brain-teasing puzzles. [Play Now](https://www.livescience.com/tag/science-crossword) *** See what you’ve unlocked. Explore your membership benefits. [Explore](https://www.livescience.com/membership) Member Exclusives Science Newsletters Select the newsletters you'd like to receive and enter your email below. [View all](https://www.livescience.com/newsletter) *** [Sign Out]() Open menu Close main menu [ Live Science](https://www.livescience.com/) [Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter](https://www.livescience.com/newsletter) [RSS](https://www.livescience.com/feeds.xml) Sign in - View Profile - Sign out Search - [Space](https://www.livescience.com/space) - [Health](https://www.livescience.com/health) - [Planet Earth](https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth) - [Animals](https://www.livescience.com/animals) - [Archaeology](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology) - [Physics & Math](https://www.livescience.com/physics-mathematics) - [Technology](https://www.livescience.com/technology) - More - [Human Behavior](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior) - [Chemistry](https://www.livescience.com/chemistry) - [Science news](https://www.livescience.com/news) - [Opinion](https://www.livescience.com/opinion) - [Life's Little Mysteries](https://www.livescience.com/tag/lifes-little-mysteries) - [Science quizzes](https://www.livescience.com/quizzes) - [Crossword](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/arts-entertainment/live-science-crossword-puzzle) - [About us](https://www.livescience.com/about-live-science) - [Newsletters](https://www.livescience.com/newsletter) - [Follow us](https://www.livescience.com/technology/internet/follow-live-science-on-social-media) - [Story archive](https://www.livescience.com/archive) Trending - [Artemis II](https://www.livescience.com/tag/artemis-2) - [Pink moon](https://www.livescience.com/space/the-moon/how-to-catch-the-full-pink-moon-in-april-followed-by-a-blue-moon-in-may) - [China's pollution cut impacts Arctic](https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/chinas-huge-push-to-reduce-air-pollution-had-an-unexpected-consequence-in-the-arctic#mrfhud=true) - [Teenager's hives from water allergy](https://www.livescience.com/health/diagnostic-dilemma-teenagers-hives-turned-out-to-be-caused-by-rare-water-allergy) 1. [Human Behavior](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior) # Top 10 Rare U.S. Coins [Countdowns](https://www.livescience.com/countdowns) By [Live Science Staff](https://www.livescience.com/author/live-science-staff) published October 23, 2007 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Here’s how it works](https://www.livescience.com/about-live-science#section-affiliate-advertising-disclosure).  Share - Copy link - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.livescience.com%2F11363-top-10-rare-coins.html) - [X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Top+10+Rare+U.S.+Coins&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.livescience.com%2F11363-top-10-rare-coins.html) - [Whatsapp](whatsapp://send?text=Top+10+Rare+U.S.+Coins+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.livescience.com%2F11363-top-10-rare-coins.html?fwa) - [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.livescience.com%2F11363-top-10-rare-coins.html&title=Top+10+Rare+U.S.+Coins) - [Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.livescience.com%2F11363-top-10-rare-coins.html&media=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net%2F8uffckA2eA4b42yG3Jzo9C.jpg) - [Flipboard](https://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?title=Top+10+Rare+U.S.+Coins&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.livescience.com%2F11363-top-10-rare-coins.html) - [Email](mailto:?subject=I%20found%20this%20webpage&body=Hi,%20I%20found%20this%20webpage%20and%20thought%20you%20might%20like%20it%20https://www.livescience.com/11363-top-10-rare-coins.html) Share this article Join the conversation [Follow us](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=livescience.com) Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. *** By signing up, you agree to our [Terms of services](https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/) and acknowledge that you have read our [Privacy Notice](https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/). You also agree to receive marketing emails from us that may include promotions from our trusted partners and sponsors, which you can unsubscribe from at any time. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful *** Want to add more newsletters?  Delivered Daily Daily Newsletter Sign up for the latest discoveries, groundbreaking research and fascinating breakthroughs that impact you and the wider world direct to your inbox. Subscribe +  Once a week Life's Little Mysteries Feed your curiosity with an exclusive mystery every week, solved with science and delivered direct to your inbox before it's seen anywhere else. Subscribe +  Once a week How It Works Sign up to our free science & technology newsletter for your weekly fix of fascinating articles, quick quizzes, amazing images, and more Subscribe +  Delivered daily Space.com Newsletter Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more\! Subscribe +  Once a month Watch This Space Sign up to our monthly entertainment newsletter to keep up with all our coverage of the latest sci-fi and space movies, tv shows, games and books. Subscribe +  Once a week Night Sky This Week Discover this week's must-see night sky events, moon phases, and stunning astrophotos. Sign up for our skywatching newsletter and explore the universe with us\! Subscribe + *** Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. [Explore](https://www.livescience.com/membership) *** An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter ## 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle  In 1933, with the Depression in full swing, President Roosevelt took the country off the gold standard and recalled all gold coins for melting. About a dozen never made it back to the mint or were smuggled out again by enterprising employees, including this one, which resurfaced in 1992 and was confiscated by the Secret Service. In 1933 it had a face value of \$20; in 2002, it was sold at auction for over 7 million dollars. ## 1804 Draped Bust Dollar  When the Jackson administration, in 1834, wanted to dole out coin sets to foreign dignitaries, there was a problem - silver dollars hadn't been pressed for thirty years, to combat a rash of counterfeit schemes. The mint was ordered to press eight silver dollars for the occasion and they were dated 1804, the only dollar coins that would ever bear that year. Today, each has a value of over one million dollars. ## The Brasher Doubloon  Before New York adopted the new constitution in 1789 it, like other states, had the right to issue its own state coinage. Goldsmith Ephraim Brasher got one of those contracts, to mint copper coins, but it appears he largely ignored that material and went on to produce several very artistic gold specimens for reasons unknown. Just seven of these unique coins are known to exist. Latest Videos From Live Science ## 1861 Confederate States Half-Dollar  The New Orleans Mint came under the control of the Confederate States in 1861, but without a reserve of precious metals, the South chose paper money instead of coinage to support their war efforts. The few Confederate cents and half-dollars that were struck were virtually unknown until they began popping up in private collections after the Civil War. ## 1974 Aluminum Penny  With the rising price of copper, in the early 1970s it almost cost as much to make a cent as the penny was worth. The US Mint tested alternatives, like this aluminum penny that was sent out to VIPs as a sample, and then never recouped. ## 1913 Liberty Head Nickel  This five-cent piece is a numismatic legend. Despite being retired in 1912, five nickels with the "Liberty Head" design were struck in 1913 and came into the possession of one man. The collector started a rumor about their existence, driving up the value of the nickel if one was ever found but neglecting to mention he had all five. They were sold a few years later and, in a recent change of hands, one was valued at 3 million dollars. ## Almost anything from 1870  ...or more specifically, from 1870 and created in San Francisco. Three of the most coveted collector coins - the 1870-S Half-Dime, 1870-S Silver Dollar and 1870-S Gold \$3 coin (the S stands for the mint city) - come from the year when construction began on a new mint in San Fran. Just a few coins in those denominations were produced that year, most of which were destined to be embedded in the foundation's cornerstone. Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our [Terms of services](https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/) and acknowledge that you have read our [Privacy Notice](https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/). You also agree to receive marketing emails from us that may include promotions from our trusted partners and sponsors, which you can unsubscribe from at any time. ## 1866  This famous silver coin, owned by the DuPont family, was the target of a heist in 1967 and only recovered just a few years ago. Just a few denominations, and probably only the one duPont dollar, were produced without the classic "In God We Trust" motto in 1866. According to some sources, it was upon special request from a collector and friend of mint executives, a pharmacist who provided opium to the workers in return. ## 1776 Silver Continental Dollar  Not long after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the new United States Congress decided to assert its freedom by striking the first true American currency. The design, usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin, is a whimsical motif including the words "fugio" (time flies) and "mind your business," along with thirteen interlocking rings representing the colonies. Many were struck in pewter and a few dozen remain, but the silver version is very rare. ## 1943 Copper Penny  The Second World War meant big rationing on copper, and the US Mint was no exception. Most wartime pennies were instead made of a brass-steel alloy, except for a few struck from the outlawed bronze (a copper alloy). If you find one of these anomalies (the common brass version will stick to a magnet, while the bronze won't) it could be worth big bucks.  [Live Science Staff](https://www.livescience.com/author/live-science-staff) Social Links Navigation For the science geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and amazing animals to health, innovation and wearable technology. We aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe. Latest in Human Behavior [ Arts & Entertainment Live Science crossword puzzle \#36: America's national bird — 11 across](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/arts-entertainment/live-science-crossword-puzzle-36-americas-national-bird-11-across "Live Science crossword puzzle #36: America's national bird — 11 across") [ Arts & Entertainment Live Science crossword puzzle \#35: Hardy 'micro-animal' that can survive in many extreme environments — 8 down](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/arts-entertainment/live-science-crossword-puzzle-35-hardy-micro-animal-that-can-survive-in-many-extreme-environments-8-down "Live Science crossword puzzle #35: Hardy 'micro-animal' that can survive in many extreme environments — 8 down") [ Arts & Entertainment Live Science crossword puzzle \#34: Famous space telescope launched in 1990 — 5 across](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/arts-entertainment/live-science-crossword-puzzle-34-famous-space-telescope-launched-in-1990-5-across "Live Science crossword puzzle #34: Famous space telescope launched in 1990 — 5 across") [ Arts & Entertainment Live Science crossword puzzle \#33: The 'E' in E =mc^2 — 2 down](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/arts-entertainment/live-science-crossword-puzzle-33-the-e-in-e-mc-2-2-down "Live Science crossword puzzle #33: The 'E' in E =mc^2 — 2 down") [ Arts & Entertainment Live Science crossword puzzle \#32: Largest ocean on Earth — 8 across](https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/arts-entertainment/live-science-crossword-puzzle-32-largest-ocean-on-earth-8-across "Live Science crossword puzzle #32: Largest ocean on Earth — 8 across") [ Arts & Entertainment Can you crack our science word of the day puzzle?](https://www.livescience.com/chain-science-word-of-the-day-puzzle "Can you crack our science word of the day puzzle?") Latest in Countdowns [ Archaeology 9 ways people have modified their bodies since the dawn of time, from foot binding to castration](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ways-people-have-modified-their-bodies-since-the-dawn-of-time-from-foot-binding-to-castration "9 ways people have modified their bodies since the dawn of time, from foot binding to castration") [ Health Year in review: The standout health stories of 2025, from measles outbreaks to AI-made viruses](https://www.livescience.com/health/year-in-review-the-standout-health-stories-of-2025-from-measles-outbreaks-to-ai-made-viruses "Year in review: The standout health stories of 2025, from measles outbreaks to AI-made viruses") [ Archaeology 6 'lost' cities archaeologists have never found](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/6-lost-cities-archaeologists-have-never-found "6 'lost' cities archaeologists have never found") [ Human Evolution 10 things we learned about Neanderthals in 2025](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/human-evolution/10-things-we-learned-about-neanderthals-in-2025 "10 things we learned about Neanderthals in 2025") [ Human Evolution 10 things we learned about our human ancestors in 2025](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/10-things-we-learned-about-our-human-ancestors-in-2025 "10 things we learned about our human ancestors in 2025") [ Space Best space photos of 2025](https://www.livescience.com/space/best-space-photos-of-2025 "Best space photos of 2025") LATEST ARTICLES 1. [](https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/artemis-ii-officially-leaves-earths-orbit-on-the-way-to-the-moon "Artemis II officially leaves Earth's orbit on the way to the moon") 1 [Artemis II officially leaves Earth's orbit on the way to the moon](https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/artemis-ii-officially-leaves-earths-orbit-on-the-way-to-the-moon) 2. 2 [In photos: Artemis II's historic launch for the moon](https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/in-photos-artemis-iis-historic-launch-for-the-moon) 3. 3 [Ancient children's teeth reveal a syphilis-like disease was spreading in Vietnam 4,000 years ago](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-childrens-teeth-reveal-a-syphilis-like-disease-was-spreading-in-vietnam-4-000-years-ago) 4. 4 [Chemists discover groundbreaking reaction that turns breadcrumbs into hydrogen](https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/chemists-make-hydrogen-from-breadcrumbs-in-groundbreaking-reaction-that-could-replace-some-fossil-fuels) 5. 5 [Earth's energy imbalance is much more extreme than climate models show ‪—‬ but scientists aren't sure why](https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/earths-energy-imbalance-is-much-more-extreme-than-climate-models-show-but-scientists-arent-sure-why) Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. [Visit our corporate site](https://futureplc.com/). [ Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=livescience.com) - [About Us](https://www.livescience.com/about-live-science) - [Contact Future's experts](https://futureplc.com/contact/) - [Terms and conditions](https://futureplc.com/terms-conditions/) - [Privacy policy](https://futureplc.com/privacy-policy/) - [Cookies policy](https://futureplc.com/cookies-policy/) - [Accessibility Statement](https://futureplc.com/accessibility-statement/) - [Advertise with us](https://go.future-advertising.com/Live-Science-Media-Kit.html) - [Web notifications](https://www.livescience.com/how-to-turn-off-web-notifications-for-chrome-macos.html) - [Careers](https://futureplc.com/careers/) - [Editorial standards](https://www.livescience.com/editorial-standards) - [How to pitch a story to us](https://www.livescience.com/how-to-pitch-live-science) - [Do not sell or share my personal information](https://www.livescience.com/privacy-portal) © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Close Please login or signup to comment Please wait... Login Sign Up

 ## 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle  ## 1804 Draped Bust Dollar  When the Jackson administration, in 1834, wanted to dole out coin sets to foreign dignitaries, there was a problem - silver dollars hadn't been pressed for thirty years, to combat a rash of counterfeit schemes. The mint was ordered to press eight silver dollars for the occasion and they were dated 1804, the only dollar coins that would ever bear that year. Today, each has a value of over one million dollars. ## The Brasher Doubloon  Before New York adopted the new constitution in 1789 it, like other states, had the right to issue its own state coinage. Goldsmith Ephraim Brasher got one of those contracts, to mint copper coins, but it appears he largely ignored that material and went on to produce several very artistic gold specimens for reasons unknown. Just seven of these unique coins are known to exist. Latest Videos From Live Science ## 1861 Confederate States Half-Dollar  The New Orleans Mint came under the control of the Confederate States in 1861, but without a reserve of precious metals, the South chose paper money instead of coinage to support their war efforts. The few Confederate cents and half-dollars that were struck were virtually unknown until they began popping up in private collections after the Civil War. ## 1974 Aluminum Penny  With the rising price of copper, in the early 1970s it almost cost as much to make a cent as the penny was worth. The US Mint tested alternatives, like this aluminum penny that was sent out to VIPs as a sample, and then never recouped. ## 1913 Liberty Head Nickel  This five-cent piece is a numismatic legend. Despite being retired in 1912, five nickels with the "Liberty Head" design were struck in 1913 and came into the possession of one man. The collector started a rumor about their existence, driving up the value of the nickel if one was ever found but neglecting to mention he had all five. They were sold a few years later and, in a recent change of hands, one was valued at 3 million dollars. ## Almost anything from 1870  ...or more specifically, from 1870 and created in San Francisco. Three of the most coveted collector coins - the 1870-S Half-Dime, 1870-S Silver Dollar and 1870-S Gold \$3 coin (the S stands for the mint city) - come from the year when construction began on a new mint in San Fran. Just a few coins in those denominations were produced that year, most of which were destined to be embedded in the foundation's cornerstone. Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. ## 1866  This famous silver coin, owned by the DuPont family, was the target of a heist in 1967 and only recovered just a few years ago. Just a few denominations, and probably only the one duPont dollar, were produced without the classic "In God We Trust" motto in 1866. According to some sources, it was upon special request from a collector and friend of mint executives, a pharmacist who provided opium to the workers in return. ## 1776 Silver Continental Dollar  Not long after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the new United States Congress decided to assert its freedom by striking the first true American currency. The design, usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin, is a whimsical motif including the words "fugio" (time flies) and "mind your business," along with thirteen interlocking rings representing the colonies. Many were struck in pewter and a few dozen remain, but the silver version is very rare. ## 1943 Copper Penny  The Second World War meant big rationing on copper, and the US Mint was no exception. Most wartime pennies were instead made of a brass-steel alloy, except for a few struck from the outlawed bronze (a copper alloy). If you find one of these anomalies (the common brass version will stick to a magnet, while the bronze won't) it could be worth big bucks. For the science geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and amazing animals to health, innovation and wearable technology. We aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe.