Coins & Money

The Most Expensive Proof Coins in the World, All Over $1 Million

American Proof type coins are something produced that were never meant for circulation. These coins in the early days of the United State mint were produced strictly for diplomatic purposes as beautiful examples of our countries coinage. The Smithsonian Institute’s collection of early American proofs range from the years 1817 to 1857 sequentially with a non-standard list of coins ranging in metal from silver to gold to copper, to both copper nickel and German silver mix in the year 1853.

Collectors Dashboard wanted to find these ultra rare proof type coins that have sold for over $1 million dollars. On top of taking a look at the Smithsonian’s earth-shattering coin collection, we have also identified the $1 million (and much higher) proof sales that have been seen in private transactions via auction.

Here’s how the Smithsonian Institute could raise $64.5 million by selling 5 coins. This will obviously never happen as the Smithsonian coin collection is America’s National Treasure although not formally recognized as such by the United States. The rarities they posses and the one of a kind examples they protect for the benefit of all Americas to view is the asterisk that comes with breaking down the examples that lead to $64.5 million dollar evaluations:

  • 1849 $20 Liberty gold piece, PR64 (PCGS estimated grade) – $20,000,000.
  • 1877 gold pattern $50 (J-1546) PR67 (estimated grade) – $15,000,000.
  • 1877 gold pattern $50 (J-1548) PR67 (estimated grade) – $15,000,000.
  • 1907 Double Thick Extremely High Relief $20 St. Gaudens, PR69 (estimated grade) – $8,500,000 (two coins).
  • 1822 $5 gold piece, EF45 (estimated grade) – $6,000,000.

Beyond the coins that are off limits for both collectors and investors in the hands of the Smithsonian institute are million dollar proofs that have been sold and sought after by private hands.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many collectibles now cost thousands of dollars (or much more). Collectors with a passion to own a collectible for years frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

Here are some sales and examples of American Proof coins that have sold for millions of dollars:

  • Draped Bust Dollar (1795-1804) 1804 Original – Class I PR PR68 was sold by Bowers & Morena from the Walter H. Childs Sale August 1999 for $4,140,000 which was an auction record at the time.
  • 1804 $1 Class III PR58 PCGS sold by Heritage Auctions April 2009 for $2,300,000 which was an auction record at the time.
  • 1913 5C Liberty PR64 NGC The Olsen Specimen Olsen-Farouk-Hydeman-Buss-Hawn Hawaii Five-O Star Most Famous of Five Known sold by Heritage Auctions on January 7, 2010 for $3,737,500. The same coin was sold again on January 9, 2014 by Heritage Auctions for $3,290,000.
  • 1913 5C Liberty PR63 PCGS sold by Heritage Auctions April, 2013 for $3,172,500.
  • 1885 Trade Dollar, PR66 Finest of Five Examples Known sold by Heritage Auctions January, 2019 for $3,960,000 which was an Auction record at the time.
  • 1804 $10 Plain 4, BD-2, JD-1, Judd-33, High R.7, PR65+ Deep Cameo PCGS CAC was sold by Heritage Auctions January 2021 for $5,280,000, an Auction record at the time.
  • 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar Class I Original BB-304 Proof-65 (PCGS) OGH sold by Stacks Bowers December 2020 for $3,360,000
  • Edward VIII gold Proof Pattern 5 Pounds 1937 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC sold by Heritage Auctions on March 26, 2021 for $2,280,000.
  • 1885 T$1 Trade PR63+ Cameo PCGS CAC sold by Heritage Auctions on January 20, 2021 for $2,100,000.
  • 1894-S 10C Branch Mint PR66 PCGS Secure CAC sold by Heritage Auctions on January 7, 2016 for $1,997,500. The same coin was again sold by Heritage Auctions on September 17, 2020 for $1,500,000.
  • Victoria gold Proof “Una and the Lion” 5 Pounds 1839 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC was sold by Heritage Auctions for $1,440,000 on August 19, 2021.
  • 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. Class I Original. BB-304. Proof-68 (PCGS) sold on August 12, 2021 for $7,680,000 by Stacks Bowers.
  • Silver Ruble Pattern, 1825-CNB. St. Petersburg Mint. Constantine. NGC PROOF-62 sold on April 11, 2021 for $2,640,000 by Stacks Bowers.

Proof coins represent a caliber of coin that has always been scarce. Modern proof coins are sold by the mint to collectors and considered common. Million dollar proof examples date to a time when the average citizen would not encounter one. The recent “Una and the Lion” auction should show some additional information.

The 1885 Trade Dollar proof image below is from Heritage Auctions from its 2019 auction for $3.96 million.

1885 Trade Dollar proof (Heritage)