Famous Rare Coins in Photos

The legendary coins of collecting, seen up close: one of the first coins ever struck, gold pieces that were recalled or melted almost to the last one, and American rarities whose few known examples are tracked one by one. Each photo shows a real example of the coin, and each caption names its date and origin, how many survive where that is known, and the detail worth studying on the obverse or reverse. The order runs from ancient Lydia to 1933. Auction prices are left out on purpose, since they change with every sale; what earns a place here is fame among collectors and a story that explains why so few exist.