1933 Double Eagle Coin: History, Value & $18.9M Sale
If you’ve searched for 1933 double eagle coin, you’ve found your way to one of strangest and most valuable stories in American numismatics. 1933 gold double eagle isn’t just rare coin it’s coin that was never legally supposed to exist in private hands at all, yet single example sold at auction for $18.9 million, making it most expensive coin ever sold in world. For collectors, investors and everyday Americans who’ve stumbled across an old gold coin in relative’s estate, understanding story of 1933 saint gaudens gold double eagle is essential before buying, selling or even Googling what is my coin worth.
This guide breaks down full history of 1933 double eagle gold coin, current 1933 double eagle value, why it illegal to own with one historic exception and what U.S. collectors should know if they’re chasing this coin at today auction.
What Is 1933 Double Eagle ?
1933 double eagle is $20 struck gold coin by United States Mint in Philadelphia in 1933, iconic featuring Saint Gaudens design Lady Liberty forward striding on obverse and eagle soaring on reverse. Design itself back dates to 1907, when sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens created it at request of President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted American coinage to beauty rival of Greek ancient currency.
1933 gold eagle was year final this $20 denomination was struck for circulation. More than 445000 coins were minted, but none were ever officially released to public. That single fact is reason this $20 1933 gold coin has become most famous and valuable coin in American history.
Why Was 1933 $20 Gold Coin Never Released ?
In 1933 during depths of Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order taking United States off the gold standard. Citizens were required to turn in their gold coins and bullion to Federal Reserve. Because of this order, the entire mintage of the 1933 double eagle $20 coin was ordered melted down into gold bars before it ever entered circulation.
Almost the entire run was destroyed — except for a small number of coins that left the Mint through unofficial channels before the melting began. The U.S. Secret Service spent decades tracking down and confiscating these coins, treating every surviving 1933 liberty coin as stolen government property. Two examples were legally retained for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection, where they remain today. Every other specimen known was, for most of 20th century, considered illegal to own privately.
King Farouk Story How One Coin Became Legal
Most famous surviving example is known as King Farouk 1933 Double Eagle. In 1944 an export license was mistakenly granted by U.S. Treasury, allowing one coin to be shipped legally to King Farouk of Egypt, an avid coin collector. That single clerical approval is reason phrase $20 saint gaudens double eagle 1933 king farouk of egypt shows up so often in searches today it’s coin’s origin story and key to its legal status.
After Farouk was overthrown in 1952, coin disappeared for decades before resurfacing in 1990s in hands of British coin dealer Stephen Fenton, who was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents in New York sting operation. Lengthy legal battle followed, ending in 2001 settlement between Fenton and U.S. government. As part of that settlement, coin was formally “monetized,” making it only 1933 double eagle U.S. government has ever authorized for private ownership.
1933 Double Eagle Value and Auction History
The 1933 double eagle price history is what makes this coin a legend in American coin collecting:
- 2002 Auction: Farouk coin sold at a joint Sotheby’s/Stack’s auction in New York for $7,590,020 world record for any coin at time.
- 2021 Auction: Same coin, sold by its anonymous 2002 buyer later revealed to be luxury shoe designer Stuart Weitzman went under hammer at Sotheby’s for $18,872,250, more than doubling its previous record and cementing its title as most valuable coin ever sold at public auction.
That means the 1933 gold double eagle value climbed by more than 140% in under two decades, far outpacing general gold market growth over the same period. This price history is why the 1933 double eagle coin value is often used as a benchmark for the entire rare coin and precious metals collecting market in the United States.
It’s important to note: because private ownership of any other 1933 twenty dollar gold coin remains illegal, there is no active retail market, dealer price list, or coin show pricing for additional specimens. Any coin claiming to be genuine, sellable 1933 20 dollar gold coin outside one legal example should be treated with extreme caution and verified through recognized third party grading service such as PCGS or NGC before any transaction.
Is 1933 Double Eagle Proof Coin ?
Collectors search often for 1933 gold double eagle proof or 1933 double eagle proof value, but it clarifying worth 1933 double eagle was struck as issue regular business strike, not an official proof coin. Because none were ever circulated or sold to public, examples surviving can appear exceptionally sharp and well preserved, which sometimes leads to confusion with proof coinage. You may also see term 1933 gold double eagle proof tribute value online this typically refers to modern replica or tribute coins, which are commemorative pieces struck later and hold only fraction of value of an authentic 1933 Mint specimen. Tribute and coins replica are legal to but own should never be confused with genuine, museum original.
How 1933 Double Eagle compares to other Saint Gaudens Gold Coins
Broader Saint Gaudens double eagle series ran from 1907 to 1933 and most years in that range are legal to own and traded actively among U.S. collectors. Standard saint gaudens double eagle gold coin from common might date sell for close to its gold bullion value plus modest collector premium, while scarcer dates significant command premiums based on mintage and surviving population.1933 double eagle stands apart from every other year in series because of its unique legal status it’s only date where private ownership was and largely still is, prohibited by law.
If you’ve inherited an old double eagle gold coin or found one in a family collection, the first step is identifying the date. Coins from 1907–1932 can typically be authenticated, graded, and sold through reputable U.S. coin dealers or major grading services. A coin dated 1933 requires a very different approach — it should be reported to and verified by the U.S. Mint or Secret Service before any attempt to sell, since unauthorized specimens remain government property under current law.
What to Do If You Think You Have a 1933 Double Eagle
For American collectors and families going through estate collections, here’s a practical checklist:
- Do not attempt to sell it privately or online. Any 1933 dated double eagle other than single legalized Farouk specimen is subject to government claim.
- Contact reputable local coin dealer or American Numismatic Association (ANA) for an initial identification.
- Submit the coin to PCGS or NGC for professional authentication — both offer submission services across the United States.
- Consult an attorney familiar with numismatic property law before contact making with federal authorities, given coin’s unique legal history.
- Visit Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection in Washington, D.C. where two of government retained specimens are on public display, if you’d like to see an example authentic in person.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1933 Double Eagle
How much is 1933 double eagle worth ?
Only legally private example sold for $18.9 million in 2021. Because no other specimen can be legally sold, there is no standard 1933 double eagle coin value for open market.
Why is 1933 double eagle illegal to own ?
Nearly entire mintage was ordered melted after U.S. left the gold standard in 1933 and coins that escaped Mint were treated as stolen government property. Only one example was ever legally monetized for private ownership following 2001 court settlement.
How many 1933 double eagles exist today ?
Historians believe roughly 13 to 20 examples survived 1933 melting, though only small number have ever been recovered and accounted for. Two are held permanently by Smithsonian and one is Farouk/Weitzman specimen. Others remain subject of ongoing legal disputes.
What is 1933 double eagle made of ?
Like all pre 1933 U.S. gold double eagles, it struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, with face value of $20 and a total weight of roughly 33.4 grams.
Where can I see 1933 double eagle in person ?
U.S. residents can view an authentic specimen at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., which displays permanently coins from its numismatic collection.
Is 1933 double eagle the same as a Saint Gaudens double eagle ?
Yes it uses same Augustus Saint Gaudens design used on double eagles from 1907 through 1933, making it part of that broader series while remaining only date with special legal restrictions.
Final thoughts
1933 Double Eagle is $20 Saint Gaudens gold coin struck by U.S. mint that was legally never released, making it one of rarest and valuable most coins in world today.
1933 double eagle remains ultimate story in American coin collecting coin created as currency ordinary, melted down by presidential order, smuggled out of Mint, sold to king, seized by agents federal and finally auctioned for nearly $19 million. Whether you’re serious tracking numismatist1933 double eagle auction records, casual collector curious about 1933 gold liberty coin value or someone who just inherited an old gold coin and wants to know what they’re holding, key takeaway is same this is one of the rarest and most unique legally coins in U.S. history and any genuine 1933 dated specimen should always be verified through professional, U.S. based numismatic channels before any decision is made.
For deeper technical and historical record of coin, including its full recovery timeline, see Wikipedia entry on the 1933 double eagle. And if this deep dive into gold coinage has you curious about other historic U.S. denominations, our guide to 1923 silver dollar value breaks down what collectors should look for on that series, while our how to clean old coins guide explains the safe ways to care for inherited coins without destroying their value.
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