💰 1849 Coronet Head Gold $20 Double Eagle: The $20 Million Coin (2024 Update)

1849 Coronet Head Gold

At PennyVerse.info, we research the rarest US coins – and this 1849 pattern is the holy grail of American numismatics. Only one exists, locked in the Smithsonian, with an estimated value that could shatter world records.


📌 1849 Double Eagle Fast Facts

  • Status: Unique prototype (Judd-117/Pollock-132)
  • Location: Smithsonian National Collection
  • Estimated Value: $15M-$20M (if ever sold)
  • Gold Content: 0.9675 oz (worth $2,000+ melt)
  • Historical Significance: First-ever $20 gold piece

🔍 Why This Coin Is Priceless

  1. Birth of the Double Eagle
    • Created to handle California Gold Rush bullion
    • Established America’s largest gold denomination
    • Direct ancestor to the Saint-Gaudens $20
  2. The Only Survivor
    • Struck as a single pattern coin
    • Never meant for circulation
    • Saved for the national coin collection
  3. Museum Treasure
    • On permanent display in Washington D.C.
    • Considered too historically important to sell
1849 Coronet Head Gold
1849 Coronet Head Gold

💎 Current Status & Value

AttributeDetails
Last Appraisal$19.2M (theoretical MS-63)
Actual OffersSmithsonian refuses all bids
Comparable Sales1933 Double Eagle: $7.59M

Key Insight: This coin’s value lies in its unique historical status – not just gold content.


💰 What Makes It So Valuable?

✅ Only One Exists (ultimate rarity)
✅ First of Its Kind (created a new denomination)
✅ Flawless Preservation (never circulated)
✅ Museum Quality (Smithsonian provenance)


🚨 Could Another One Surface?

  • 99.9% Impossible – Mint records confirm only one struck
  • If Found: Would trigger the biggest authentication battle in numismatic history
  • Legal Status: Government would immediately claim it

🏛️ Visiting the Coin

📍 Smithsonian National Museum of American History
📅 On permanent display in the money exhibit
🔍 Look For: The only $20 gold piece dated 1849


🔗 More at PennyVerse.info
We’ve documented every detail of this coin’s creation, including Mint Director reports and Longacre’s original sketches.

*”The 1849 Double Eagle isn’t just a coin – it’s the physical embodiment of the Gold Rush transforming America.”*

  • The PennyVerse Team

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PennyVerse.info – Where Coin History Comes Alive


💡 Collector Reality Check: While you’ll never own this coin, its 1850+ descendants can still be found for $2,000-$50,000 – explore our Gold Coin Guide to learn more!


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