In the world of rare coins, few stories are as intriguing as the 1964-D Peace Dollar. It’s a coin that technically shouldn’t exist—yet rumors and whispers say otherwise.
While none have ever been seen in public, this mysterious silver dollar has sparked endless fascination among collectors.
Some experts believe if one were ever found and legally sold, it could break the $18.9 million record set by the 1933 Double Eagle.
So what makes the 1964-D Peace Dollar so captivating? Let’s unravel the story.
Origins
The 1964-D Peace Dollar was created during a time of chaos in U.S. coinage. Silver prices were rising, and the country was facing a serious coin shortage. Despite this, the U.S. Treasury moved ahead with plans to revive the silver dollar.
The design was based on the original Peace Dollar minted between 1921 and 1935. Congress approved the striking of 45 million new silver dollars, all of which were to be minted in Denver—hence the “D” mint mark.
But within weeks, the entire program was shut down, and every coin was reportedly melted down.
That’s the official story.
Controversy
Between May 13 and May 24, 1965, over 316,000 Peace Dollars were struck at the Denver Mint. On May 25, Congress reversed its decision, and the coins were ordered to be destroyed.
The Mint claimed all coins were accounted for and melted, but here’s where it gets murky: they were counted by weight, not individually. That opened the door to speculation. Could a few coins have slipped out before the meltdown?
Some rumors said President Lyndon Johnson had a few in his possession. Others believed Denver Mint workers may have quietly held onto one. There’s no confirmed evidence, but the whispers never went away.
Why It Was Canceled
The government had three big reasons to pull the plug on the coin:
- Collector Hoarding: Lawmakers feared collectors would snatch up the coins, worsening the already bad coin shortage.
- Silver Costs: With the price of silver going up, it was expensive to produce a large, heavy coin.
- Coin Shortage Needs: America needed dimes, nickels, and quarters—not dollar coins no one used.
Value
No 1964-D Peace Dollar has ever been confirmed to exist publicly. But experts believe that if one did turn up—and if it somehow became legal to own—it could fetch well over $18.9 million. That’s because it would be a one-of-a-kind piece, with unmatched history and controversy.
In fact, PCGS once offered $10,000 just to examine one. And in the 1970s, collectors offered thousands in ads for a single piece. No one ever came forward.
Could One Still Exist?
Maybe. Some believe a few coins escaped before the destruction order. If one is out there, it could be hidden in a private collection or possibly in another country where U.S. coin laws wouldn’t apply.
Even if someone did find one, the big question remains: could they keep it? Under U.S. law, these coins are technically illegal to own.
They were never released to the public, so they would be considered government property. That’s part of what makes this mystery so intense.
Final Thoughts
The 1964-D Peace Dollar is a symbol of what makes coin collecting so exciting—history, drama, rarity, and the thrill of the unknown. Whether or not one exists today, the mere possibility keeps collectors dreaming.
If a real 1964-D Peace Dollar ever comes to light, it could shake the coin world like never before—and possibly set a new record that will be talked about for decades.
FAQs
What is the 1964-D Peace Dollar?
A silver dollar that was minted and destroyed, but rumors say some survived.
How many were minted?
A total of 316,076 coins were struck in Denver.
Has one ever been found?
No confirmed 1964-D Peace Dollar has ever surfaced publicly.
Why was it canceled?
Concerns over hoarding, silver costs, and coin shortages.
Could it beat the $18.9 million record?
Yes, experts believe it could surpass the 1933 Double Eagle sale.
