How to Find a 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

The 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle is arguably the most famous and legally fraught coin in American numismatics. Roughly 445,500 were struck, but the United States left the gold standard before any were officially released into circulation, and almost the entire mintage was later melted. Today, only one specimen is recognized as legal to privately own—and it has sold at auction for more than any other coin in history.

GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place and create a wishlist alert. For a coin this exceptional, that alert exists mainly so you’ll hear about a legitimate opportunity if one ever arises—not because ordinary dealer inventory is a realistic place to find one.

What makes the 1933 double eagle important to collectors?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 order taking the United States off the gold standard meant the newly struck 1933 double eagles were never officially released for circulation; the Mint kept them in storage pending destruction. A small number nonetheless left the Mint—historical accounts point to Mint cashier George McCann and Philadelphia jeweler Israel Switt as connected to their escape—and several ended up in the hands of collectors and dealers before the Secret Service began recovering them in the following years.

One example reached King Farouk of Egypt, who obtained an export license (apparently issued in error) before the coin’s status as stolen property was fully understood. That specimen left the country, resurfaced decades later, and became the subject of a 1996 sting operation when British coin dealer Stephen Fenton attempted to sell it in New York. The resulting legal dispute wasn’t resolved until 2001, when the U.S. government agreed to formally monetize that single coin, making it the only 1933 double eagle recognized as legal to own privately. It sold at auction for $7.59 million in 2002, and the same coin later sold again at Sotheby’s in June 2021 for $18,872,250—a record price for any coin ever sold at auction.

The U.S. government has treated every other known 1933 double eagle, including additional pieces that surfaced decades later through descendants connected to the coin’s original disappearance, as stolen government property rather than legitimately owned collectibles.

How to evaluate a claimed 1933 double eagle

Given that only one specimen is recognized as legal to privately own, and its complete ownership history is a matter of public record, any other coin represented as a genuine 1933 double eagle should be treated as almost certainly either a replica, a counterfeit, or a coin the U.S. government would consider its own property subject to seizure.

Confirm which specimen is being offered

The single monetized example has a well-documented, traceable ownership history from the 2002 and 2021 sales. A genuine offering of that specific coin would come through a major auction house with complete provenance, not through ordinary dealer inventory.

Treat any other “1933 double eagle” with extreme caution

A coin represented as a different genuine 1933 double eagle is not a normal collectible for sale—it is, under the government’s stated position, subject to forfeiture regardless of who currently holds it. Independent legal and numismatic advice is essential before any transaction involving such a piece.

Know the physical specifications

Per U.S. Mint records, a Saint-Gaudens double eagle weighs 33.436 grams, measures 34mm in diameter, is struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, and has a lettered edge. For a coin this restricted, matching these specifications is a minor baseline check—it does nothing to establish legal ownership or authenticity on its own.

Watch for replicas and counterfeits

Because the coin is so famous, replica and novelty versions circulate openly (often clearly marked as copies) alongside occasional attempts to pass off counterfeits as genuine. Any claimed genuine example should be verified through a major grading service and, given the coin’s history, through legal counsel as well.

Suggested search terms and filters

A search for “1933 double eagle” or “1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle” in ordinary dealer inventory should be expected to return no genuine results—that’s the correct outcome for a coin this restricted, not a sign the search tool is failing.

Availability and pricing notes

The only legally private 1933 double eagle has changed hands twice, both times through major auction houses (Sotheby’s in 2021), for record-setting prices. It is not the kind of coin that appears in routine dealer listings, and any claimed availability outside that documented lineage warrants serious skepticism.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin to confirm nothing questionable is currently listed.
2. Add it to your wishlist so you’re notified if a legitimate opportunity—most likely a major auction announcement—is ever detected.
3. Treat any match with extreme caution. Verify the specific specimen, its documented ownership history, and consult independent legal and numismatic advice before considering any transaction.

Frequently asked questions

How many 1933 double eagles exist today?

A small number are known to survive, but only one is recognized as legal for private ownership. The U.S. government treats all other known examples as its property.

Why is only one specimen legal to own?

That coin’s export license (issued to King Farouk of Egypt) and a subsequent 2001 legal settlement gave it a unique, formally monetized status. No other surviving example has that status.

How much has the legal specimen sold for?

$7.59 million in 2002, and $18,872,250 at Sotheby’s in June 2021—a record for any coin sold at auction.

If someone offers to sell me a 1933 double eagle, what should I do?

Be extremely cautious. Unless it is demonstrably the single documented, monetized specimen with verifiable provenance, the U.S. government’s position is that any other genuine example is stolen property. Seek independent legal and numismatic advice before proceeding.

Are replicas of the 1933 double eagle legal to own?

Clearly marked replicas and novelty pieces are common and are not the same as a genuine coin. They are not treated as government property, but they also have no numismatic value as an authentic 1933 double eagle.

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