6 Controversial Coins with Fascinating Stories That Shocked Collectors

Coins are money but not only money; they account for history, secrets, and sometimes, controversy. Throughout history, controversy has arisen over certain coins, bringing with them a multitude of problems, provoking different kinds of debate, and astonishing coin collectors with their rarity and mystery. The value of one or another of the coins soared into the $1 million range when sold. Let us take a brief look at six of the most controversial, however, not always troublesome, coins in U.S. history.

The 1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin

In terms of historical fame and cost, quantity, perhaps, the 1933 Double Eagle is most well known and, perhaps, most expensive. The coin in 1933 was never supposed to be in the hands of individuals. In 1933, the U.S. government stopped the use of gold coins for everyday transactions and ordered the melting of all Double Eagle coins. However, a few made it through this fate.

• The U.S. government considers these coins illegal to own.
• One of these rare coins was sold for $7.6 million in 2002.
• Another set a record in 2021 by selling for $18.9 million.

The 1974 Aluminum Penny

In the 1970s, with rising copper prices, the U.S. Mint was experimenting with aluminum for penny production. The project never materialized, and all the aluminum pennies were meant to be reclaimed and destroyed. But a few went missing and were never accounted for.

• Only a few aluminum pennies exist outside of government control.
• Owning one is considered illegal.
• If found and sold, it could be worth millions of dollars due to its extreme rarity.

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Produced as a five-cent coin, it is one among the rarest meanings and most mysterious coins in U.S. history. Discontinued in 1912, somehow there were five nickels secretly struck, bearing the date of 1913.

• Only five are known to exist today.
• One was sold for $4.5 million at an auction.
• There is no official record of how or why these coins were made.

The 2000 Sacagawea Cheerios Dollar

In 2000, the U.S. Mint partnered with Cheerios to promote the new Sacagawea dollar. As part of this promotion, some cereal boxes contained these special dollar coins. However, some of these coins had a unique design difference—extra details on the eagle’s feathers, making them stand out.

• These “Cheerios dollars” have a distinct feather pattern.
• Collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for them.
• The exact number of these rare versions remains unknown.

The 1959-D Wheat Penny Error Coin

The Wheat Penny design was officially replaced in 1958, so a 1959-D Wheat Penny should not exist. Yet, one such coin has surfaced, leaving experts puzzled. No one knows if it was an accident, a mistake, or an unauthorized creation by a Mint worker.

• Only one of these coins has ever been found.
• Some believe it was intentionally made as a secret experiment.
• Its origins are unclear, making it a fascinating mystery in the coin-collecting world.

The 1964-D Peace Dollar

In 1964, the U.S. government had devised a plan to reintroduce the Peace Dollar. Although the Denver Mint manufactured a number of these coins, they were never issued, since the government opted to melt them all down before they could be released. Still, rumors spread for decades that some of these coins escaped destruction.

• No officially recognized 1964-D Peace Dollars exist today.
• Some collectors believe a few were smuggled out before being melted.
• If one were ever found, it would be priceless.

Conclusion

Coins are more than just small metal discs used for buying things. They can hold incredible historical significance, tell fascinating stories, and sometimes even become the center of legal disputes. These six controversial coins continue to captivate collectors and historians. Some may be hidden away in private collections, while others could still be out there, waiting to be discovered. Their stories live on, making the world of coin collecting as exciting as ever.

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