– The 1933 Double Eagle: The World's Most Valuable Gold Coin
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The 1933 Double Eagle is not just a gold coin; it is a symbol of history, rarity, and intrigue. Known as the world’s most valuable gold coin, it has captured the imagination of collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
The 1933 Double Eagle was minted during a turbulent period in American history. It was the final $20 gold coin minted by the United States and was designed by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
However, the Great Depression cast a long shadow over its production. In an effort to stabilize the economy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order in 1933 prohibiting the hoarding of gold.
This marked the end of the gold standard in the U.S., and as a result, the Treasury recalled and melted down the 1933 Double Eagles before they could be circulated.
Although over 445,000 Double Eagles were originally minted, none were legally released to the public. However, a small number of coins, believed to be around 20, somehow escaped the melting pot.
The most famous example is the 1933 Double Eagle that was seized by the U.S. Secret Service and later returned to be sold at auction. In 2002, this particular coin fetched an astonishing $7.59 million, setting a record at the time.
The journey of the 1933 Double Eagle is also a tale of legal drama. Several coins that surfaced over the years were confiscated by the U.S. government, which maintained that they were never legally issued.
A famous legal battle ensued between the government and the family of a coin dealer who had acquired several of these coins. The case underscored the coin's legal and historical complexity, further cementing its legendary status.