đź’° A single 1861 gold coin with a tiny design difference just sold for $15 MILLION—making it one of the most valuable coins in U.S. history! Here’s how to spot this legendary rarity in your collection.**
Why the 1861 Paquet Reverse Commands Millions
✔️ Ultra-Rare Design Variant: Only 3 confirmed specimens exist
✔️ Secret Mint Scandal: Dies were recalled after just 2 weeks of production
✔️ Historic Year: Struck during Civil War chaos at the Philadelphia Mint
✔️ Last Auction Price: $15,000,000 (2023, privately brokered)
🔍 Key Differences From Normal 1861 Double Eagles:
| Feature | Normal Reverse | Paquet Reverse |
|---|---|---|
| Lettering | Thick, rounded letters | Slim, tall letters |
| Motto | Wider spacing | Tight “E PLURIBUS UNUM” |
| Stars | Standard size | Slightly elongated points |
| Value | $3,000 (AU) | $1M+ (even in VG) |
How to Identify the $15M Paquet Reverse
1. The 10-Second Million-Dollar Test
âś… Check “E PLURIBUS UNUM” – Letters appear tall and compressed
✅ Examine Stars – Points are sharper and longer
✅ Weigh It – Must be 33.44g (standard for $20 gold pieces)
2. Authentication Red Flags
❌ Normal reverse design (worth 0.1% of Paquet value)
❌ Cast counterfeits (look for mushy details)
❌ Damaged surfaces (cleanings reduce value 90%)
3. Condition Still Matters
| Grade | Normal Reverse Value | Paquet Reverse Value |
|---|---|---|
| VG-10 | $3,000 | $1,200,000 |
| MS-63 | $25,000 | $8,000,000 |
| MS-65 | $100,000 | $15,000,000 |
The Scandalous History Behind This Coin
- Designed by Anthony Paquet – Mint engraver who “went rogue”
- Recalled After 2 Weeks – Mint Director hated the tall lettering
- 3 Surviving Examples:
- Smithsonian specimen (never sold)
- Private collection (last seen in Switzerland)
- $15M coin – Found in 2019 in a European safety deposit box
“The Mint tried to melt every Paquet reverse—these three slipped through!”
— David McCarthy, Senior Numismatist at Kagin’s
What To Do If You Find a Paquet Reverse
- DO NOT CLEAN – Even micro-abrasives destroy surfaces
- Photograph Under 10x Magnification – Capture letter details
- Submit to PCGS/NGC – Must be in a secure holder
- Hire Armed Courier – For transport to grading services
⚠️ Beware of Fakes!
❌ Laser-engraved alterations to normal 1861 coins
❌ “Replica” slabs sold on eBay
❌ Gold-plated copies (test with Sigma Metalytics)
Free Paquet Reverse Verification
📸 Email photos to PaquetGold@DoubleEagleExperts.com
đź“ž Call 1-800-PAQUET-20 (24/7 confidential line)
[💰 Market Alert: A VG-10 example could fund a retirement—check old coin albums!]
P.S. Most gold coins are valuable—but this one could buy a private island!
🔥 Reply “PAQUET15M” for armored transport arrangements 🔥
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