💰 Imagine holding a coin worth over $9,000,000 in your hand. That’s the story of the legendary 1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle—one of the rarest and most prestigious coins in American history. With only two known examples from the Philadelphia Mint, this gold treasure is considered a crown jewel of U.S. coinage.
✨ Why Is the 1861 Paquet Double Eagle So Special?
💵 The Double Eagle Itself
- First struck in 1849, the $20 Double Eagle was the largest denomination of circulating U.S. gold coins.
- By 1861, it carried the Coronet Liberty Head design, representing strength during the Civil War era.
⚙️ The Paquet Reverse Innovation
- Designed by Anthony C. Paquet, Assistant Engraver at the U.S. Mint.
- Key features:
- Taller letters with a sleeker font
- Narrower rim
- Rays of the eagle closer to the legend
- Stars in a wider circle
🛑 Why It Was Cancelled
- The Paquet design was quickly recalled.
- Officials worried the narrow rim could cause die breakage.
- Production stopped after just a few coins were struck—creating an ultra-rarity.
🔥 Key Facts at a Glance
- Coin: 1861 $20 Coronet Head Double Eagle, Paquet Reverse
- Mint: Philadelphia (⚠️ No mint mark)
- Known Survivors: Only 2 confirmed
- Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
- Weight: 33.44 g | Diameter: 34 mm
- Value: $3,000,000 – $9,071,084+
👉 Note: About 19,250 Paquet Reverse coins were struck at San Francisco (1861-S), but only the Philadelphia coins reach multi-million-dollar status.
🔍 How to Identify the 1861 Paquet Reverse
✅ Step 1: Check the Mint
- Date: Must read 1861
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia issue)
✅ Step 2: Reverse Design Details
Look for these Paquet-specific features:
- Narrower rim than standard issues
- Taller, tighter letters in “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”
- Rays almost touching the lettering
- Stars spread in a wider circle
💡 Tip: Compare side-by-side with a regular 1861 Double Eagle to see the differences.
💎 Value Chart of the 1861 Paquet Reverse
| Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | $3,068,215 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | $9,071,084+ |
Even worn examples are worth millions because of extreme rarity.
🛡️ Authentication & Provenance
Before dreaming of millions, authentication is crucial:
- 🔒 Grading Services:
- 📜 Provenance: A documented ownership history adds value.
- 🏛️ Auction Houses Handling These Coins:
📈 Market Trends 2024–2025
- 🌍 Global Demand: Collectors from U.S., Europe, and Asia chase top rarities.
- 🚀 Rising Prices: Next sale could break the $10 million barrier.
- 🏛️ Civil War Significance: Coins tied to historic eras are in high demand.
👉 Unlike ordinary coins, these museum-grade rarities rarely lose value.
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