Few coins in history spark as much fascination — and controversy — as the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold $20 Double Eagle. With only one legal specimen ever sold at auction for $7,590,020, this coin remains the crown jewel of the numismatic world.
Here’s everything collectors need to know about this legendary piece.
📌 1933 Double Eagle Fast Facts
- Mintage: 445,500 (but nearly all were melted)
- Survivors: 13 known (10 in government vaults, 1 legal, 2 stolen)
- Record Auction Price: $7,590,020 (2002)
- Gold Content: 0.9675 oz (~$2,000 melt value)
- Legal Status: All but one are illegal to own
🔍 Why This Coin Is So Valuable
1. The Great Depression Meltdown
- FDR’s 1933 Executive Order 6102 recalled all gold coins.
- Nearly half a million Double Eagles were minted but never officially released.
- Most were melted into gold bars, leaving only a tiny number of survivors.
2. The Secret Service Hunt
- Over 20 coins were stolen by a Mint cashier.
- 10 were recovered and destroyed by 1952.
- 1 escaped to Egypt with King Farouk, later becoming the only legal specimen.
3. The Legal Battle
- 2002: The Farouk specimen was sold at auction for $7.59M.
- 2011: 10 additional coins surfaced but remain in legal limbo.
💎 Known Specimens & Where They Are
| Specimen | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Farouk Coin | Private Collector | Only legal example |
| Smithsonian Pair | National Collection | Never left Mint |
| Langbord 10 | Fort Knox | Government seized |
| 2 Missing | Unknown | Presumed destroyed |
💰 Current Value Estimates (2024)
- Farouk Coin (Legal): $15M+ if sold today
- Hypothetical MS-65 Specimen (Legalized): $25M+
- Gold Melt Value: ~$2,000 (practically irrelevant)
Reality Check: Unless you’re holding the Farouk specimen (currently in NYC), any 1933 Double Eagle you find is illegal contraband.
🚨 What To Do If You Find One
- Don’t Touch It – Seriously, leave it alone.
- Call a Lawyer – Not a coin dealer.
- Contact the U.S. Mint: 202-354-7227
Leave a Reply