The 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin is widely recognized as the rarest coin in the world.
The 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin: A Singular Treasure
The 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin stands out as a unique numismatic masterpiece due to its extreme scarcity. Only one specimen of this historic gold coin is known to exist today, solidifying its status as the rarest and one of the most valuable coins globally.
Key facts about this exceptional coin include:
- Year of Minting: 1849
- Coin Type: Double Eagle (a $20 gold coin)
- Known Specimens: One
- Current Location: Carefully preserved at the National Numismatic Collections at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
- Estimated Value: Approximately $20 million
This remarkable coin was initially struck as a pattern coin, a trial piece to test the design and production process for the new twenty-dollar gold denomination. Although several were minted, nearly all were melted down, leaving this sole survivor as a testament to early American coinage and the fervor of the California Gold Rush era. Its singular existence, combined with its historical significance, contributes to its unparalleled rarity and extraordinary value in the numismatic community.
