World’s Most Valuable and Famous Rare Coin, 1933 Double Eagle, at Chicago World’s Fair of Money®
First public display of this historic coin since its $18.9 million record-shattering auction, courtesy of its anonymous new owner and GreatCollections
The world’s most valuable and famous rare coin, the 1933 Double Eagle previously owned by King Farouk of Egypt and shoe designer Stuart Weitzman, will be publicly exhibited for four days at the American Numismatic Association’s Chicago World’s Fair of Money (www.WorldsFairOfMoney.com), Tuesday through Friday, August 10-13. This will be the historic gold coin’s first public display anywhere since it was sold at auction in early June for a record-breaking $18,872,250.
The new owner told me that when this coin was first sold at auction in 2002 for a then-record-breaking $7.5 million, he was determined to one day own it. Nineteen years later, he fulfilled his dream. Now, after weeks of confidential meticulous planning and security arrangements, he graciously will be sharing it for the public to see in person at the Chicago World’s Fair of Money,” said Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections Coin Auction (www.GreatCollections.com) and exclusive consultant to the coin’s owner.
“We were absolutely surprised and ecstatic to be able to include this coin as a featured attraction at the upcoming Chicago World’s Fair of Money. This is a legendary coin, and we are honored that its new owner and GreatCollections are exhibiting it first at the ANA convention,” said Kim Kiick, ANA executive director.
The Chicago World’s Fair of Money will be open to the public in Hall A of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, August 10-14. The acclaimed 1933 Double Eagle will be displayed at the GreatCollections booth, #400, for the first four days of the five-day show.
United States $20 denomination gold coins (Double Eagles), specially designed by acclaimed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt, were struck from 1907 to 1933. Collectors often refer to them as “Saints” in recognition of their designer.
Although United States Mint records indicate 445,500 Double Eagles were struck in 1933, only one with that date is lawfully permitted for private ownership.
In April 1933, during the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order “forbidding the hoarding of gold coin, gold bullion, and gold certificates within the continental United States” with limited exceptions. A State Department export license was granted in 1944 for one 1933-dated Double Eagle so it could be owned by King Farouk of Egypt. This is the same coin that will be displayed. Two other 1933 Double Eagles are in the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution.
Public hours for the Chicago World’s Fair of Money are Tuesday, August 10, from 1 to 5:30 pm; Wednesday through Friday, August 11 to 13, from 10 am to 5:30 pm; and Saturday, August 14, from 10 am to 3:30 pm.
Public admission Tuesday through Friday is $10 daily or $25 for a three-day pass. Children 12 and under are admitted free daily and admission is free for everyone on Saturday.
For additional information visit WorldsFairOfMoney.com.
PCGS Encapsulates Legendary 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
The world’s most valuable coin was sold by Sotheby’s in June 2021 for nearly $19 million.
Santa Ana, California – July 27, 2021) – The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, which broke an all-time record in June 2021 as the most expensive coin ever traded in public auction, was recently encapsulated by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com). This comes after PCGS graded the coin MS65 just prior to its sale at a Sotheby’s auction on June 8, 2021, for $18,872,250, or almost double the previous record set by a 1794 silver dollar graded by PCGS that sold for $10 million in 2013.
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- 1933 $20 Obv – The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is a gold coin with a $20 face value that sold for nearly $19 million in June 2021 and was graded MS65 by Professional Coin Grading Service. The obverse, seen here, depicts a striding Miss Liberty before a sunrise over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.
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- 1933 $20 Rev – A flying eagle graces the reverse of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, a gold coin with the face value of $20 that was originally designed by namesake sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1907. Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.
“It’s a career highlight,” says PCGS President Brett Charville. “We are absolutely thrilled to holder the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. We certified the coin MS65 just before it sold and now the new buyer wants to protect the unique rarity in our industry-leading, tamper-evident holder to ensure the security of the coin and maximize its value.”
The coin was submitted by GreatCollections Coin Auctions (www.greatcollections.com), one of the world’s leading auction houses for certified rare coins and banknotes. The Orange County, California, firm plans to display the rarity at the upcoming ANA World’s Fair of Money® in Chicago, Illinois, on behalf of the anonymous owner.
GreatCollections president Ian Russell spoke of the submission to PCGS. “We have likely submitted 500,000+ coins to PCGS over the past 10 years, but the standalone highlight was this 1933 $20. It is the pinnacle of numismatics, and we are grateful to the owner for entrusting it with us.”
1933 $20 Ian Russell – The world’s most valuable coin, being held by Ian Russell of
GreatCollections Coin Auctions, who recently submitted the $19 million coin to
PCGS for certification. Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.
Adds Russell, “The coin has an amazing history, dating back to the 1933 executive order that banned virtually all private ownership of gold coins in the United States and effectively took the nation off the gold standard. But this specimen slipped through the cracks and was purchased by King Farouk of Egypt, one of the biggest coin collectors in the 1930s. After Farouk was overthrown in 1952, the coin disappeared for more than 40 years until surfacing in the mid-1990s; it first set the all-time world record price for a coin in 2002, when it realized $7.59 million,” explains the expert coin auctioneer.
Russell, whose firm GreatCollections handles over $100 million in rare coins each year, notes that the 1933 Saint-Gaudens is one of those elusive coins that may go decades between appearances at auction. “The current owner of the rarity set a goal back in 2002 to own the coin one day, and 19 years later, his dream came true. Although it’s difficult to predict the future, I think it will be many years before this coin appears on the market again.”
John Albanese, who cofounded PCGS in 1986 and as a longtime dealer regularly handles encapsulated rare coins, says the eye appeal of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is magnificent. “The strike and surfaces of this example are above par. It’s simply a beautiful coin.”
About Professional Coin Grading Service
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is a third-party coin and banknote grading company that was launched in 1986. Over 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified more than 47 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of over $46 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.
About GreatCollections Coin Auctions
GreatCollections is an auction house for certified coins and banknotes, handling transactions from start to finish. Since its founding in 2010, GreatCollections has successfully auctioned over 950,000 certified coins, making it one of the leading certified coin companies in the United States. Ian Russell, owner/president of GreatCollections, is a member of the prestigious Professional Numismatists Guild and member of the National Auctioneers Association. For more information about GreatCollections, visit www.greatcollections.com or call (800) 442-6467.
Redesigned United States Mint American Eagle Gold Coins Go On Sale July 29
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce the beginning of sales for redesigned 2021 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins on July 29, at noon EDT. Orders are limited to one coin per household for the first 24 hours from the on-sale date and time.
Struck in 22-karat gold at the West Point Mint, these popular coins are collector versions of the official United States Mint American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins. For the first time since their debut more than three decades ago, the reverse (tails) of American Eagle Gold Proof Coins features a newly designed portrayal of an eagle, created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Jennie Norris and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” along with the face value and weight.
The coins’ obverse (heads) features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. To render a closer reflection of Saint-Gaudens’ original vision, legacy details have been restored that include modifications to the U.S. Capitol Building, stars, torch, sun rays, and other design elements based on the original bronze cast.
In addition to redesigning the reverse and enhancing design details on the obverse (heads) of these coins, the Mint introduced anti-counterfeiting features that include a reeded edge variation on the one ounce coin (only).
The redesigned American Eagle Gold Proof Coins will be available in the following five product options:
| PRODUCT CODE | PRODUCT OPTION | PRODUCT LIMIT* | MINTAGE LIMIT* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21EBN | One Ounce Coin | 5,625 | 15,875 |
| 21ECN | One-Half Ounce Coin | 2,000 | 12,250 |
| 21EDN | One-Quarter Ounce Coin | 3,375 | 13,625 |
| 21EEN | One-Tenth Ounce Coin | 10,000 | 20,250 |
| 21EFN | Four-Coin Set (includes one of each weight) |
10,250 | N/A |
To complement the new designs, each coin is encapsulated and placed in a black presentation case with the United States Mint seal on the lid. The case fits into an outer sleeve incorporating an image of the reverse coin design, and the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity includes artwork of the obverse design.
American Eagle Gold Proof Coins are priced according to the range in which they appear on the Mint’s Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum and Palladium Products table. Current pricing information is available here.
To sign up for REMIND ME alerts, visit:
- https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-eagle-2021-one-ounce-gold-proof-coin-21EBN.html (product code 21EBN)
- https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-eagle-2021-one-half-ounce-gold-proof-coin-21ECN.html (product code 21ECN)
- https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-eagle-2021-one-quarter-ounce-gold-proof-coin-21EDN.html (product code 21EDN)
- https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-eagle-2021-one-tenth-ounce-gold-proof-coin-21EEN.html (product code 21EEN)
- https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-eagle-2021-gold-proof-four-coin-set-21EFN.html (product code 21EFN)
Information about additional products featuring the American Eagle Gold Coins will be published on the Mint’s 2021 Product Schedule at https://catalog.usmint.gov/product-schedule/2021/.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of July 29, 2021, at noon EDT.
To reduce the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, the Mint’s sales centers are closed until further notice. Please use the United States Mint catalog site as your primary source of the most current information on product and service status.
United States Mint Opens Sales for Virginia American Innovation® $1 Coin Products on July 27
WASHINGTON – Product options containing uncirculated quality American Innovation $1 Coins honoring Virginia will be available for purchase directly from the United States Mint (Mint) beginning on July 27 at noon EDT. The coins are produced at the Mint’s facilities in Philadelphia and Denver and are packaged as follows:
| PRODUCT CODE | PRODUCT OPTION | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 21GRB | 25-Coin Roll–P | $34.50 |
| 21GRF | 25-Coin Roll–D | $34.50 |
| 21GBB | 100-Coin Bag–P | $117.50 |
| 21GBF | 100-Coin Bag–D | $117.50 |
The American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a multi-year series featuring distinctive reverse (tails) designs that pay homage to America’s ingenuity and celebrate the pioneering efforts of individuals or groups from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.
The Virginia $1 coin is the second release of 2021 and honors the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, recognized as an engineering marvel of the modern world. The reverse design depicts a view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel as a cross-section cut away, illustrating the ingenuity involved in constructing it. Inscriptions are “United States of America” and “Virginia.”
The obverse (heads) design features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “$1.” It also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation.
The year of minting, mint mark, and inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are incused on the edge of the coins.
To set up a REMIND ME alert for the Virginia American Innovation $1 Coin product options, visit here.
Additional products in the American Innovation $1 Coin Program are available at https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-innovation-dollar-coins.
To reduce the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, the Mint’s sales centers are closed until further notice. Please use the United States Mint catalog site https://catalog.usmint.gov/ as your primary source of the most current information on product and service status.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of July 27, 2021, at noon EDT.
ANA Honors Distinguished Numismatists with Awards
Every year, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) recognizes members who go above and beyond with their service and dedication to numismatics. The following awards, which are presented at the World’s Fair of Money®, will be awarded during the Member & Awards Celebration, Thursday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m. in room 25/26.
The Adna G. Wilde Jr. Memorial Award for Exemplary Service honors an ANA member who enthusiastically dedicates their time, expertise and resources to strengthen the hobby, and in particular, further the educational mission of the ANA. This year’s recipient, Eric Holcomb, has accomplished this many times over, primarily thanks to his aptitude for the written word.
Holcomb has served as the editor of MintMark, the newsletter of the ANA’s Representative Program, since 2002 (with a brief hiatus from 2006-08). Under his adept leadership, the quarterly bulletin has seen dozens of successful issues. The Oregon resident also lends his writing skills to his local area – since 1996, he has edited the Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association’s journal, The Nor’wester. Holcomb also serves as president of the Bend Coin Club of Central Oregon, a position he’s had since 2012.
The retired aerospace engineer has been an ANA member for 42 years and a district representative for 13. In that time, the Association has recognized him with the Outstanding District Delegate award (2013), Presidential Award (2004), Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2014) and Medal of Merit (2017).
The Association’s Medal of Merit is bestowed on members who have dedicated years of service to numismatics.
Prue Morgan Fitts came to numismatics later in life than most and has since become deeply involved on all levels, from personal to quasi-professional. Volunteering at conventions in the mid-1990s fueled her interest in several collecting areas, but she became focused on the Byzantine Empire when she inherited a clutch of gold “scyphates” and solidi from her father. She took ANA Summer Seminar courses on Roman and Byzantine coins and soon became an instructor on the latter topic and earned accreditation as an exhibit judge. She also developed a unique seminar course titled “Women in Power and in Art.”
Fitts regularly shares her enthusiasm with local and regional clubs as well as at ANA events. Her contributions as a lecturer plus her willingness to serve effectively in any capacity as a convention volunteer was recognized with a Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 2002.
Fitts is empress of the Association of Dedicated Byzantine Collectors and a past president of Women in Numismatics. Her articles on Byzantine coinage, published in The Celator, have been well received. Her book The Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Byzantine Coinage was published in 2015.
Fitts currently serves on the board of the Boston Numismatic Society and the New England Numismatic Association. She is a former Governor of the ANA (2005-07). In addition to the Medal of Merit, Fitts has received ANA Presidential Awards (2004 and 2009), the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award (co-awardee with Arthur Fitts, 2012) and Elvira Clain-Stefanelli Memorial Award (2018). Her record of leadership and accomplishment, as well as her enthusiasm and cheerfulness, is exemplary. The ANA Medal of Merit is a fitting and worthy recognition of her contributions to the ANA and the hobby. Few women have so selflessly devoted as much time, talent and treasure to numismatics.
Ricardo de León Tallavas is the epitome of a numismatic ambassador. He represents the ANA throughout Latin America and is the Association’s district representative for Mexico.
Tallavas is a dedicated elementary schoolteacher and incorporates his love of numismatics into his students’ curriculum. He meets weekly with a coin club composed of 5th and 6th graders nominated by their teachers to partake in this extracurricular opportunity. He provides coins for the kids to research and worksheets for them to record what they have learned. His educational fervor also helps fuel his numismatic enthusiasm, as evidenced by his recurring role as an ANA Summer Seminar instructor. Tallavas is a leading authority on Mexican numismatics, and his classes are well attended.
He has delivered more than 50 lectures outside the seminar programs, many in countries south of the border. He has been a designated representative at six major international conferences of numismatists and historians in almost as many nations.
Tallavas has attended ANA conventions as a national volunteer for over a decade, serving at registration, providing interpreting when needed, and assisting at the Kids’ Zone. He has written or contributed to nine books and over 40 articles, the latter mostly in Spanish-language journals. He is a licensed broadcaster in Mexico and anchored a numismatic program in his hometown before moving to Houston, Texas.
His passion for the hobby has earned him many accolades. He was awarded the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2011), Catherine Sheehan Literary Award (2011) and Outstanding District Representative award (2019), among other honors. He has certainly proven to be worthy of the Medal of Merit, for which the criteria for bestowal are accomplishment of “numerous years of service to the ANA as well as promotion of numismatics.”
This year’s Harry J. Forman Dealer of the Year award recipient is Michael Fuljenz. Fuljenz is a longtime advocate and benefactor of the ANA, as well as a former ANA authenticator, grader and seminar instructor. He is not only an outstanding numismatic educator and community leader, but he also has helped many collectors and dealers who were victims of fraud. His primary focus is combating counterfeits in the marketplace and assisting law enforcement agencies in solving numismatic crimes.
In 2020 Fuljenz provided the funds for an investigative reporter to purchase coins and bullion ingots from the Chinese Internet sales platform Wish. One of the coins was a counterfeit 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle (gold $20) that violated the United States Protection Law for counterfeits. Once, he helped a Louisiana physician obtain a $1 million refund; this is one of many fraud cases he has helped solve. He also has served as a consultant to the Federal Trade Commission, the United States Mint, the Royal Canadian Mint and the Texas Attorney General.
Fuljenz sits on the boards of the National Coin & Bullion Association (NCBA) and the Crime Stoppers of Beaumont (Texas). The former Numismatist columnist also is a contributor to A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”), and he teaches numerous seminars on counterfeiting and numismatic crime.
Fuljenz has been recognized with more than 60 Numismatic Literary Guild awards since 1986. Past ANA honors include a Presidential Award (1995), Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2013) and Medal of Merit (2014).
The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its nearly 28,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational and outreach programs as well as its museum, library, publications, and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit money.org.
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