There are many U.S. coins that have sold for over 1 million dollars and in fact, some of them have sold for at least that amount on several occasions.  When I speak of million dollar coins the 1913 nickel, the 1933 Double Eagle, the 1804 Dollar, the 1894-S dime, and the 1794 Dollar come readily to mind.  One reason for this is their obvious scarcity but another less obvious reason is the overall U.S. collector base which is arguably the largest in the world.  Most of these collectors are of relatively modest means but some of them are fabulously wealthy and can afford a million-dollar coin as easily as I can afford a hundred-dollar coin. 

During the 19th and early 20th Century it was said The Sun Never Set on the British Empire.  Of course, World War I bled the British Empire almost dry, troops from Canada, India, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand joining British Troops in the blood baths of Yrpes, Gallipoli, and the Somme. World War II, with it equally titanic battles signaled the death knell of the Empire with former colonial holdings gaining their independence and joining the Commonwealth, a mostly economic coalition of former British Colonies in the years since World War II.    

As you are all aware deadly Coronachan has wreaked havoc on a number of things we all enjoy in the spring, sports leagues have shut down (Bundesliga is the first to return in empty stadiums), concerts have been postponed, The Kentucky Derby and the Master's tournament have been rescheduled.  Most of all we have lost all but one of the spring and summer coin shows to include prominent ones like Long Beach, Central States, FUN, and near and dear to my heart, PAN.  WFM teeters on the edge, awaiting factors it has no control over. 

In 1951 Great Britain, still recovering from the ravages of World War II decided to hold a special event.  Although the stated purpose was the commemorate the centennial of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the real purpose was to lift the spirits of a still recovering Great Britain and to show the world that  British exceptionalism had returned.  Festival events were held throughout Great Britain but the main focus was on Greater London.  Like any great national event, there was some controversy concerning the huge costs for exhibition halls and whatnot to be used for only a few months, but with a Pip Pip and a Cheerio, the show went on.  My latest coin, arriving today is this 1951 Festival of Britain commemorative crown with a beautiful rendition of St. George slaying a Dragon on its reverse.  King George VI, who died in February of 1952 graces the obverse.  The coin is copper-nickel and had a mintage of just over 2 million.   The original box of issue is included in my purchase, it is a little battered with time but still retains a certain nobility that seems just right for such a beautiful Crown (and Crown-Sized) coin. 

There are thousands upon thousands of Ships that have sunk in the Ocean.  Sometimes their sinking is due to conflict, sometimes a purposeful scuttling, sometimes a rogue wave, and sometimes, maybe most times, a stormy sea captures her prize.  I have three coins in my collection that were wrested from the briny deep and they are among my favorites because of the circumstance of their recovery and the associated history.