6 Most Controversial Coins in History & the Fascinating Stories Behind Them

Coins are not only money; they have history, mystery, and sometimes controversy. Certain coins have been involved in legal wars, scandals, and hot arguments among collectors and historians. The following are six of the most controversial coins ever produced and why they still capture the attention of the numismatic community.

How to Check If You Have One of These Rare Coins

If you’re curious about whether you own one of these valuable coins, follow these steps:

1. Examine the Coin’s Date and Mint Mark – Look for specific years and errors.
2. Check for Unique Features – Look for double die errors, extra leaves, or unusual metal compositions.
3. Get a Professional Appraisal – Have your coin evaluated by experts like PCGS or NGC.
4. Look at the Coin’s Condition – Higher-grade coins fetch the highest prices.

1. 1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin

The 1933 Double Eagle is the most popular and expensive coin in history. It was never released into circulation because the government prohibited gold coins. A handful of coins somehow evaded the melting process and found their way into private collections.

Why It’s Controversial

• The U.S. Government prohibited gold coins in 1933, which made ownership of the Double Eagle unlawful.
• Most of the cash had been destroyed, but a few dodged a bullet and ended up in private hands.
• Years of legal struggle over ownership ensued.

Estimated Value

• One of these coins was sold for a record-breaking $18.9 million at auction to become the most valuable coin sold.

2. 1974 Aluminum Penny

The U.S. Mint tested aluminum pennies in the early 1970s to counter increasing copper prices. Few were produced before the venture was scrapped, and the coins were recalled. Some coins are said to have found their way into private hands, causing legal issues.

Why It’s Controversial

• The U.S. Mint never approved aluminum pennies for public circulation.
• A few of these coins were not returned and are illegal to possess.
• Experts think that one aluminum penny might be worth millions.

Estimated Value

• If one of these coins ever came out for public sale, it might be worth a few million dollars.

3. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is among the most enigmatic coins in US history. It was never formally authorized to be minted, yet five coins were somehow minted and later appeared in private collections.

Why It’s Controversial

• The coin was never sanctioned for circulation.
• A collector obtained the five existing coins mysteriously, which ignited controversies about where they came from.
• Some consider the coins to have been secretly struck by an employee of the Mint.

Estimated Value

• One of these nickels was sold for $4.5 million, which is one of the highest-priced nickels ever.

4. 2000 Sacagawea Cheerios Dollar

A promotional campaign included a special edition of the Sacagawea dollar in boxes of Cheerios. The coins did, however, have a different detail on the feather of the eagle, so they were not the same as standard Sacagawea dollars.

Why It’s Controversial

• The U.S. Mint did not originally recognize the design variation.
• Collectors found later that the coins were distinctive and made them more valuable.
• The atypical distribution in Cheerios boxes made them very popular.

Estimated Value

• These coins have been sold for thousands of dollars because of their uniqueness and distinct characteristics.

5. 1959-D Wheat Penny Error Coin

The 1959-D Wheat Penny is one of the largest coin mysteries in coin collecting. The U.S. Mint formally discontinued the use of the wheat penny design in 1958, however this uncommon coin nevertheless makes use of the wheat layout despite being dated 1959.

Why It’s Controversial

• The wheat penny design was to be discontinued after 1958.
• Some believe that the coin was made by accident or fraud.
• There is only one known specimen, making it all the more mysterious.

Estimated Value

• Due to its rare error, the 1959-D Wheat Penny is priceless and may be worth millions if authenticated.

6. 1964-D Peace Dollar

The 1964-D Peace Dollar was designed to relaunch the Peace Dollar series, but the issue was dropped before the coins actually came out. The U.S. Mint had all of them melted down, but there are rumors that there are some survivors.

Why It’s Controversial

• These coins were never actually released legally, but some claim to have seen them.
• The U.S. Mint maintains there are no known pieces, but rumors persist.
• If it were discovered, it would be one of the most valuable coins ever seen.

Estimated Value

• If a 1964-D Peace Dollar were to ever appear, it might be priceless, selling for tens of millions of dollars at auction.

Final Thought

Coins usually bring with them stories that stretch far beyond the face value. These forbidden coins are rare gems with histories packed with intrigue, mystery, and court cases. Collectors are still on the lookout for them in the hope of owning a piece of history. Lost, illegal, or incorrectly produced, these coins are among the world’s greatest mysteries in numismatics.

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