$21 Million for This 1933 $20 Coin – Can You Have It at Home?:- Many people dream of discovering a rare coin hidden in a pocket or an old drawer, one that turns out to be worth millions.
$21 Million for This 1933 $20 Coin – Can You Have It at Home?
While such finds are rare, some coins have achieved legendary status, with astonishing price tags and captivating histories. One of the most iconic examples is the 1933 $20 Double Eagle, a coin valued at nearly $21 million today, with only three known to still exist in private collections.
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Origins of the 1933 Double Eagle
Minted in 1933 during the Great Depression, this $20 gold coin was never intended to enter general circulation. That same year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102, which banned private ownership of gold, apart from items deemed of collectible value.
The order, later reinforced by the Gold Reserve Act of 1934, required citizens to exchange their gold coins for paper currency of equivalent value. As a result, Double Eagles, along with many other gold coins, were pulled from circulation and destroyed to support the struggling U.S. economy.
The Double Eagle, unlike coins made of nickel or copper, was composed entirely of gold. This precious metal content made the coin especially vulnerable to melting, as many people melted down coins for the gold content rather than risk holding onto them illegally.
A Lasting Design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
The Double Eagle’s design contributes significantly to its allure. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, an influential sculptor known for his work in American art and numismatics.
Designed the coin in 1907 at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted to elevate the artistry of U.S. currency. This coin, produced just before Saint-Gaudens’ death, was one of his final contributions to American coinage.
The obverse side of the coin showcases Liberty standing confidently, holding a torch in her left hand and an olive branch in her right, with 46 stars encircling her figure (symbolizing the states at the time).
The Capitol building appears in the background, with the year “1933” stamped prominently below. The reverse side of the coin features a powerful image of an eagle in flight above the rays of a rising sun, accompanied by the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “TWENTY DOLLARS,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
Surviving Double Eagles and Their Legacy
The exact number of 1933 Double Eagles that survived the original recall remains unclear. It’s estimated that about 20 escaped destruction, with two of these coins now kept in the U.S.
National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Museum. Additionally, it’s believed that around 10 more are stored at Fort Knox’s United States Bullion Depository.
One of the most famous of these coins surfaced in 2002, when a privately held Double Eagle was sold at auction for $7.59 million.
The same coin later reappeared in 2021, fetching an astonishing $18.9 million, making it the most valuable gold coin ever auctioned. This record-breaking sale highlighted the coin’s status as a historical and cultural artifact.
The Mystery and Future of the 1933 Double Eagle
While a few 1933 Double Eagles remain accounted for, the whereabouts of other potential survivors remain unknown.
Many historians believe that most of these coins were lost to time, destroyed, or melted down for their gold content.
However, the rare chance of another Double Eagle surfacing fuels speculation about its potential value, as it could command an auction price rivaling the record-breaking $18.9 million sale.
