The Story of the Most Controversial Gold Coin

This episode introduces the story of the 1933 gold double eagle, a $20 gold coin that has attained legendary status. Host Everett Millman explains the origins of the coin's famous design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the circumstances that led to the 1933-dated coin becoming a major rarity, as well as some fascinating stories involving the coin along the way—including one of its noteworthy owners, the eccentric King Farouk of Egypt. These narratives help illustrate what distinguishes a rare collectible from its more common counterparts.