Most old coins tucked away in drawers and jars won’t make anyone rich, but a few rare pieces can bring in enormous sums at auction. At a recent Heritage Auctions sale, five U.S. gold coins each sold for more than $1 million, with the top coin fetching over $2.5 million.
The coins appeared in Heritage Auctions’ ANA U.S. Coins Signature Auction, held from Aug. 31 through Sept. 5, which brought in nearly $40 million in total. Their prices reflected rarity, condition, and history, with some coins having only a small number of known examples.
1879 Liberty Head Quintuple Stella — $2,562,000
An 1879 Liberty Head Quintuple Stella sold for $2.562 million, setting a new auction record and beating the $2.16 million record Heritage says was set the previous year. According to Heritage Auctions, only five examples have been traced, and one belongs to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection.
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1879 Coiled Hair Stella — $1,891,000
The 1879 $4 Coiled Hair Stella sold for $1.891 million, and Heritage reports that only 14 examples have been traced. Graded PR67 Cameo, it is tied for the highest certified grade, making its rarity and outstanding condition part of its appeal to collectors.
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1824/1 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle — $1,494,500
An 1824/1 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle sold for $1,494,500, and only two proof examples have been confirmed. One is held by the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection, while the coin sold at auction is the only proof example certified by either of the two leading grading services, according to Heritage.
1876 Liberty Double Eagle — $1,403,000
The 1876 Liberty Double Eagle sold for $1.403 million, and Heritage reports that it is the only known example of its kind. The coin made its first auction appearance since the 1980s and set a new auction record, giving collectors a chance to own a piece missing from many well-known collections.
Related: 17 Rare Quarters Worth Some Serious Money
1880 Coiled Hair Stella — $1,189,500
An 1880 Coiled Hair Stella sold for $1.1895 million, rounding out the five coins that crossed the million-dollar mark. Heritage reports that only 10 examples have been traced, and this coin is considered the rarest of the four Stella varieties.
What Made These Coins Worth So Much?
Their prices came from much more than their age or gold content, since collectors were bidding on extreme rarity, high grades, historical importance, and limited availability. The 1876 Liberty Double Eagle stood apart in particular because it is the only known specimen.
Together, the five coins brought in more than $8.5 million, while the full U.S. coin auction generated nearly $40 million. For anyone sorting through an old coin collection, these results are a reminder to check dates, mint marks, condition, and grading details before deciding what a coin might be worth.
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