5 Famous Gold Coins and the Fascinating Stories Behind Them
Some gold coins are famous for their beauty, some for their rarity, and some for the remarkable stories attached to them. Here are five gold coins whose histories have captured the imagination of collectors around the world.
1. The 1933 Double Eagle
The United States Mint struck the 1933 Double Eagle, a $20 gold coin, but almost the entire mintage was melted down after the country stopped circulating gold coins. A handful escaped, leading to decades of legal battles. In 2021, one example sold at auction for about $18.9 million, making it one of the most valuable coins ever sold.
2. The Brasher Doubloon
Made in 1787 by New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher, this coin was struck before the United States Mint even existed. Only a few examples survive, and in 2021 one of them sold for more than $9 million. It remains a legend of early American history.
3. The South African Krugerrand
When the Krugerrand appeared in 1967, it was the first modern gold coin designed to be bought for its gold content rather than its face value. It has no face value printed on it at all, and it went on to become one of the best-known gold coins in history, inspiring other countries to create coins of their own.
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4. The British Gold Sovereign
The modern sovereign was first struck in 1817 and is still produced by The Royal Mint today. It has featured monarchs from George III to King Charles III, and it was once used across the British Empire. Its long history makes it a favourite with collectors who enjoy tracing the changing portraits over two centuries.
5. The Big Maple Leaf
In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint produced a 100-kilogram gold coin with a face value of one million Canadian dollars. Only a few were made. In 2017, one of them was stolen from the Bode Museum in Berlin, and it has never been recovered, adding a real-life heist to the coin’s story.
Why these stories matter to collectors
History is a big part of the joy of collecting. Even everyday bullion coins carry designs and traditions that reach back centuries. If these stories inspire you to start a small collection of your own, you can browse modern versions of famous designs, such as Sovereigns, Krugerrands and Britannias, at dealers like Bitgolder.
Other coins with remarkable stories
Many other gold coins have their own tales. The Austrian Philharmonic, first struck in 1989, celebrates the famous Vienna orchestra with instruments on its design. The Chinese Gold Panda changes its design every year, which makes collecting a full set a rewarding challenge. Even everyday coins can carry fascinating details about the history and culture of the country that made them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most valuable gold coin ever sold?
The 1933 Double Eagle holds one of the highest prices ever paid for a coin, at about $18.9 million in 2021.
The bottom line
From lost treasure to daring heists, gold coins have some of the most remarkable stories in history. Learning them makes every coin in a collection more meaningful.
