Collectors and historians are intrigued by the 1933 Double Eagle coin, which is a piece of history, beauty, and mystery. This $30 million coin's history is as complicated and interesting as its design. Let's explore the 1933 Double Eagle's mysterious universe and discover why it's one of the world's most precious and interesting coins.
The US minted the Double Eagle coin in 1933 during the Great Depression. Philadelphia Mint issued it as part of the Gold Eagle series, which began in 1907. Augustus Saint-Gaudens' coin featured Liberty with an eagle. This 1933 edition was scheduled to be regular, but fate interfered. These coins are rare and valuable since few escaped the Mint.
Roosevelt abruptly recalled gold coinage in 1933 to stabilize the economy. His goal was to get the country off the gold standard. Thus, most 1933 Double Eagles were never issued and were scheduled to be melted down. However, some specimens were inexplicably smuggled out of the Mint, starting a decades-long tale.
The famed coin collector King Farouk of Egypt had one of the most famous 1933 Double Eagles. Unaware of its illegality, the U.S. government licensed the coin for export. When they discovered the mistake, they tried to retrieve it. After Farouk was ousted in 1952, the coin disappeared until a coin trader found it in the 1990s.
Legal challenges followed the 1933 Double Eagle's return. While collectors and dealers competed for the coin, the U.S. government claimed possession. A settlement allowed one coin to be privately owned after years of litigation. The most expensive coin ever sold was this one, auctioned for nearly $7 million in 2002.
The 1933 Double Eagle coin sold for nearly $18.9 million at Sotheby's in June 2021, breaking all records. This transaction confirmed the coin's cultural and historical significance as well as its worth. Stories and mysteries surround the coin, making it appealing beyond its rarity and beauty.
The 1933 Double Eagle coin is more than a rare artifact—it represents a difficult time in American history. Its story from the U.S. Mint to a record sale is full of mystery, legal intrigue, and history.
Collectors and historians are fascinated by this coin, which illustrates the intricate interplay between money, power, and history. The 1933 Double Eagle is still a valuable piece of American history and currency.