American rare gold coins

It was from 1849 to 1889 that official gold dollar coinage was produced by the United States, although earlier, there had been efforts to include gold coins in the American currency.

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt ordered a change in US coinage and so beautiful gold coins were born.

Though years later, the gold coins were melted, a remaining specimen of the old US gold coins is now famed as one of the most valuable and famous rare coins in America and the entire numismatic industry.

1.) 1787 Brasher Doubloons gold coin

In 1787, American silversmith and goldsmith, Ephraim Brasher petitioned to the New York State Assembly that he may be allowed to produce copper coins as there was often a limited mintage of coins during this time.

However, his request was not granted by the state. Because of such disapproval, Brasher went on with his producing items made of silver and gold including seven US gold coin patterns which are now more known as the 1787 Brasher Doubloon.

The Brasher Doubloon is believed to be the first gold coin minted in the US and is considered one of the most important coins in American numismatics.

2.) 1849-C Open Wreath gold coin

As mentioned earlier, the gold dollar coinage was produced from 1849 to 1889.  The 1849-C Open Wreath is the rarest US gold dollar and the third rarest regular issue of Liberty Head gold coin of any denomination.

There are either four or five of this gold coin known to exist today, one was sold at a 2004 auction for $690,000.  Later, it was believed that the said coin was sold for nearly a million dollars. 

Affectionately called the “King of Southern Gold Coins”, the 1849-C Open Wreath is truly one of the most valuable gold coins from America.

3.) 1861-D gold dollar

This antique gold dollar is a famous gold coin for its significance to the history of United States currency.  The 1861-D gold coin is the only regular issue US coin which are minted by the Confederate States of America—the government set up from 1861 to 1865 by eleven southern slave states of the US. Each of these states had previously declared secession or withdrawal from the American government.

The 1861-D gold dollars were minted during the American Civil War when Confederate troops were ordered to take over the Dahlonega Mint.  However, the mint would not generate enough income to continually support the mint operations. The branch mint was decided to be closed down including other branches of coin mints in other places in the US. The 1861-D gold coins were the last coins minted in the Dahlonega Mint.

It is believed that 1,000 to 1,500 pieces of this coin were minted while others speculate there were about 2,350 to 3,250 pieces of the gold dollar produced. There are approximately 60-80 specimens believed to exist today but about 2 are in Mint State condition.  It is second to the 1849-C Open Wreath of being the rarest gold US dollar coin.

4.) 1933 Saint-Gaudens gold dollar coin

The 1933 Saint-Gaudens is truly a historical numismatic piece. Once hailed as the Most Valuable Gold Coin in the world for being sold at almost $7.6 million in 2002, this rare gold coin is a numismatist’s treasure.

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt moved that American coinage be changed as he saw the then US currency as bland compared to the beauty of Greek coins.  For him, the coinage of a country is a symbol of its greatness. He ordered that American coins be a representation of prestige and power. So in 1907, gold double eagle coins were issued.

Not for long, in 1933, Franklin Roosevelt took off the gold standard from US coinage in the aim of stabilizing economy.  Gold coins had to be turned over to the government and had to be melted.  A few coins escaped melting.  Today, only one legitimate specimen of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is known to exist and is now owned by a private coin collector.

Famous & Rare gold coins from Australia

Australia has issued gold coins since the 1850s during the Victorian gold rush wherein Victoria, Australia dominated the world’s gold output.  In effect, there was a tremendous increase of population in Australia. Around 1986, the country introduced its first bullion gold coins in convenient weights. Here are two Australian rare gold coins.

1852 Adelaide Gold Pound

Until today, there has been arguments whether the 1852 Adelaide Gold Pound is categorized as a coin because it was struck without Royal assent or approval. According to the Museum Victoria, this gold coin may just be a coin-shaped ingot or lump of gold to be worth an Australian pound. Still, this numismatic item is proved to be a valuable and significant historical piece for Australia.
   
In late 1852, it was found out that this gold coin had higher intrinsic value than its face value of one pound.  Upon this discovery, Adelaide gold pounds were exported to London and were melted for their gold content.  In early 1853, minting of the 1852 Adelaide gold pound was stopped.

A specimen of this Australian rare gold coin, among other valuable pieces, was sold at auction in the middle of 2009.

Proof 1920 Sydney Mint Sovereign gold coin

The Proof 1920 Sydney Mint Sovereign is considered a highly precious and unique coin, deemed as Australia’s rarest circulating gold sovereign with only one specimen to exist. 

Though not the most valuable gold coin from Australia, it was still considered one of the most expensive being sold via phone auction for $844,000 in mid 2009.