Double Eagle (1933)

The 1933 Double Eagle is a 20-dollar gold coin from the United States. Despite the fact that 445,500 Saint-Gaudens double eagles were coined in 1933, none were ever formally circulated, and all but two were ordered to be melted down. However, it is known that 20 more were saved from melting by being stolen and eventually finding their way into the hands of collectors before being recovered. Only 13 known examples survive, with only one being privately held. Nine of the recovered coins were destroyed, making 1933 Double Eagle one of the world's rarest coins.

It's worth noting that owning one of these coins is still illegal, and if you're caught with one, it will be taken immediately. However, one private owner was able to get a coin that had formerly belonged to King Farouk of Egypt, but was obliged to sell it and divide the revenues with the US mint.

The 1933 Double Eagle sold at auction in 2002 for $7,590,020.

Price: $7.5 million