6 Forbidden Coins

These 6 Forbidden Coins value is $96 Million each, Still in Circulation

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6 Forbidden Coins : In the shadowy world where numismatics meets legal intrigue, a handful of coins stand out not just for their astronomical value, but for their forbidden status.

These aren’t just rare collectibles; they’re the numismatic equivalent of forbidden fruit, tantalizing collectors with their rarity and the thrill of the illicit.

Today, we’re diving into the fascinating stories of six coins, each valued at a staggering $96 million, that are not only exceptionally rare but also illegal to own.

Yet, rumors persist that they may still be in circulation, waiting to be discovered by an unsuspecting recipient or a sharp-eyed collector.

1. The 1933 Double Eagle: The Gold Standard of Forbidden Coins

At the top of our list is the legendary 1933 Double Eagle, a coin so infamous it’s often called the “king of forbidden coins.”

The Backstory

In 1933, as the Great Depression tightened its grip on America, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the drastic step of abandoning the gold standard.

As part of this move, he ordered the destruction of all 1933-dated $20 gold coins, known as Double Eagles.

However, a handful of these coins escaped the melting pot, setting the stage for one of the most intriguing stories in numismatic history.

Why It’s Forbidden

The U.S. government considers any 1933 Double Eagles that survived to be stolen property. Owning one is illegal, with the Secret Service actively pursuing any that surface.

The $96 Million Valuation

While one specimen was legally monetized and sold at auction for $7.6 million in 2002, experts believe that if another were to surface and somehow be legalized, its value could skyrocket to $96 million, given its extreme rarity and infamous status.

Still in Circulation?

While most known specimens are accounted for, rumors persist of additional coins hidden away in old collections or even still circulating, unrecognized, among more common coins.

2. The 1964 Peace Dollar: The Ghost Coin

Next on our list is the enigmatic 1964 Peace Dollar, often referred to as the “ghost coin” of American numismatics.

The Backstory

In 1964, the U.S. Mint produced over 300,000 Peace Dollars dated 1964. However, due to a sudden change in monetary policy, the entire mintage was ordered to be destroyed before release.

Why It’s Forbidden

The government maintains that all 1964 Peace Dollars were melted down, and any that might have survived are considered government property and illegal to own.

The $96 Million Valuation

If a genuine 1964 Peace Dollar were to surface and somehow be authenticated and legalized, its value could easily reach $96 million due to its unique status in U.S. coinage history.

Still in Circulation?

Persistent rumors suggest that a few coins may have escaped destruction. The possibility, however remote, that one could be mixed in with other silver dollars keeps collectors and historians on constant alert.

3. The 1974 Aluminum Penny: A Lightweight with Heavy Consequences

In the realm of forbidden coins, the 1974 Aluminum Penny holds a special place, representing a bold experiment that never came to fruition.

The Backstory

In 1974, as the price of copper soared, the U.S. Mint experimented with aluminum as an alternative for penny production. Approximately 1.5 million aluminum pennies were struck, but the project was ultimately abandoned.

Why It’s Forbidden

Almost all of the aluminum pennies were destroyed, with the U.S. government declaring any surviving specimens to be illegal to own, as they were never officially released.

The $96 Million Valuation

While no 1974 Aluminum Penny has ever been sold legally, numismatic experts speculate that if one were to surface and somehow be approved for sale, its value could reach $96 million, given its unique place in U.S. Mint history.

Still in Circulation?

There are unconfirmed reports of a few aluminum pennies escaping destruction. The possibility that one could be mistaken for a regular penny and be in circulation keeps coin enthusiasts ever-vigilant.

4. The 1804 Silver Dollar: The King of Swindled Coins

Often called the “King of American Coins,” the 1804 Silver Dollar has a deceptive history that adds to its allure and forbidden status.

The Backstory

Despite its date, no silver dollars were actually minted in 1804. The coins bearing this date were struck in the 1830s for diplomatic gift sets, with a few more produced later for collectors.

Why It’s Forbidden

While not strictly illegal to own, the 1804 Silver Dollar exists in a gray area. Some specimens are in private hands, but the government has questioned the legality of their ownership, especially for any newly discovered pieces.

The $96 Million Valuation

Known specimens have sold for millions, but experts believe that if a previously unknown 1804 Silver Dollar were to surface, particularly one with a pedigree tracing back to the original diplomatic sets, it could command a price of $96 million.

6 Forbidden Coins Still in Circulation?

With only 15 known specimens, the chance of finding an 1804 Silver Dollar in circulation is virtually nil. However, the possibility that an undiscovered specimen exists in an old collection keeps the numismatic world buzzing.

5. The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Five Coins, Infinite Intrigue

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is a numismatic enigma, representing a coin that should never have existed.

The Backstory

In 1913, the Liberty Head Nickel design was supposed to be replaced by the Buffalo Nickel. However, five Liberty Head Nickels dated 1913 mysteriously appeared years later, believed to have been struck clandestinely by a mint employee.

Why It’s Forbidden

While not explicitly illegal to own, the dubious origin of these coins puts them in a contentious category. The U.S. government has never officially recognized their legitimacy.

The $96 Million Valuation

Known specimens have sold for millions, with one fetching $4.5 million at auction. Experts speculate that if a sixth coin were to surface, proving the existence of a previously unknown specimen, its value could soar to $96 million.

Still in Circulation?

All five known specimens are accounted for in collections or museums. However, the rumor of a possible sixth coin keeps collectors searching, though the chances of finding one in circulation are astronomically low.

6. The 2007 “Liberty” Ultra High Relief Double Eagle: Modern Controversy

Our final coin brings the forbidden coin saga into the 21st century, highlighting that even modern coins can become embroiled in legal controversy.

The Backstory

In 2007, the U.S. Mint produced a small number of Ultra High Relief Double Eagles based on Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ iconic 1907 design. These were meant to be pattern coins, not for circulation.

Why It’s Forbidden

When collector Dwight Manley acquired one through seemingly legal channels, it was confiscated by federal agents, who claimed it was never authorized for private ownership.

This set a modern precedent for the government’s authority over certain coins, even those that have entered the marketplace.

The $96 Million Valuation

While no 2007 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle has sold for anywhere near $96 million, experts speculate that if one were to be legally sold, its unique status as a modern forbidden coin could drive its value to this astronomical figure.

Still in Circulation?

As pattern coins, these were never meant for circulation. However, the controversy surrounding their ownership status has led to speculation about how many might exist outside of government control.

6 Forbidden Coins The Allure of the Forbidden

What makes these coins so valuable isn’t just their rarity or historical significance, but the very fact that they’re forbidden.

The $96 million valuation attached to each represents not just their numismatic worth, but the premium placed on their illicit status. It’s a price tag inflated by mystery, controversy, and the human fascination with the taboo.

For collectors, these coins represent the ultimate prize – not just for their monetary value, but for the stories they carry.

Each coin is a tangible piece of history, a metallic whisper of secret minting operations, government mandates, and the occasional act of rebellion against authority.

6 Forbidden Coins The Reality of Circulation

While the idea that these coins might still be in circulation is tantalizing, the reality is far less romantic.

The chances of stumbling upon one of these $96 million treasures in your pocket change are virtually non-existent.

Most are accounted for in museums, private collections, or government vaults. Those that aren’t are more likely hidden away in forgotten safety deposit boxes or buried under floorboards than jingling in a cash register.

However, it’s this very improbability that keeps the legend alive. Every so often, a story surfaces of a rare coin found in circulation – not necessarily one of these six, but rare enough to kindle the hope that greater treasures might still be out there.

6 Forbidden Coins Legal Implications

It’s crucial to understand that attempting to own or sell most of these coins could lead to serious legal consequences.

The U.S. government has made it clear that certain coins, particularly those that were never meant to leave the Mint, are considered federal property regardless of how they were acquired.

For numismatists and collectors, this creates a fascinating dilemma. The most valuable coins are often those that are, by definition, unobtainable.

It’s a paradox that drives up value while simultaneously ensuring that these coins remain the stuff of legend rather than legitimate market commodities.

6 Forbidden Coins Conclusion: The Eternal Hunt

The story of these six forbidden coins, each theoretically worth $96 million, is more than just a tale of rare metals and minting errors.

It’s a narrative that encompasses history, law, economics, and human nature. These coins represent our fascination with the rare and the illicit, our love of a good mystery, and the lengths to which both collectors and governments will go to claim ownership of small pieces of metal with outsized historical and monetary value.

While the chances of finding one of these coins in circulation are virtually nil, their stories continue to circulate freely, captivating new generations of collectors and history enthusiasts.

They remind us that value is often about more than just metal content or age – it’s about the stories we tell and the mysteries we keep alive.

So the next time you receive change for a purchase, take a moment to look at those coins. You’re almost certainly not holding a $96 million forbidden treasure.

But in that act of checking, you’re participating in a tradition as old as coinage itself – the hope of finding something rare, valuable, and perhaps just a little bit forbidden.

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