The 1933 Double Eagle is one of the rarest and most valuable coins ever made in the United States. Even though more than 445,000 were minted, almost all of them were destroyed. Today, only a few exist, and just one of them is legally allowed to be owned by a private person.
This makes the 1933 Double Eagle a true legend in the coin collecting world.
The Coin That Was Never Meant to Be
In 1933, the United States was in the middle of the Great Depression. People were struggling, banks were failing, and the government needed to act fast. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102, which made it illegal for Americans to own gold. This law was meant to stop people from hoarding gold and help the economy recover.
At the same time, the U.S. Mint had already made over 445,000 Double Eagle coins, each worth $20 in gold. But because of the new law, the government decided not to release these coins into circulation. Instead, they ordered almost all of them to be melted down into gold bars. This means the 1933 Double Eagle was never used as regular money.
A Few Coins Escaped
Even though the government melted most of the coins, a small number mysteriously escaped the melting pot. Some of these coins were taken illegally, and for many years, collectors quietly traded them. But the U.S. Secret Service eventually stepped in and recovered most of them. Many were destroyed.
One coin, however, ended up in the hands of King Farouk of Egypt in the 1940s. It was exported from the U.S. with a special license—by accident. That small legal mistake made all the difference.
The One That Got Away
That single coin, once owned by King Farouk, became the only 1933 Double Eagle that can be legally owned by a private person. It was hidden for decades and eventually came back to the United States. After a long legal battle, it was officially declared legal to own.
In 2002, it sold at auction for $7.6 million. Then, in 2021, it was sold again—this time for a record-breaking $18.9 million, making it the most expensive U.S. coin ever sold.
Why Collectors Love It
The 1933 Double Eagle is more than just a coin. It’s a piece of history. It marks the end of the gold coin era in the U.S. It tells a story of economic crisis, secret deals, and legal drama. Plus, its design—created by famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens—is considered one of the most beautiful on any American coin.
With its rare status, mysterious history, and eye-catching design, the 1933 Double Eagle is known as the “Holy Grail” of coin collecting.
FAQ’s
1. How many 1933 Double Eagle coins still exist?
Only a few are known to exist, and just one is legally owned by a private individual. The rest are held by the U.S. government or are illegal to own.
2. Why was the 1933 Double Eagle never released?
The U.S. government halted its release due to new laws banning private gold ownership during the Great Depression. Nearly all were melted down.
3. Who owns the only legal 1933 Double Eagle?
It was last sold in 2021 for $18.9 million to an anonymous buyer and is the only one that can be legally owned by a private collector.
