Have you ever wondered just how large or small a coin can be? Around the world, national mints have taken this question seriously—some creating coins so large they require heavy machinery to move, and others so tiny they need a magnifying glass just to see the design. These showpieces are also legally recognized tenders.
In this article, we highlight the coins that hold the records for the largest, smallest, and even the runner-ups in both categories.
The World’s Largest Coins
Tonne Australian Kangaroo Gold Coin
- Minted by: The Perth Mint (Australia)
- Year issued: 2011
- Weight: 1,012 kg (2,231 lbs)
- Diameter: 80 cm (31.5 in)
- Purity: 99.99% pure gold
- Legal tender value: 1 million AUD
This is currently the largest and heaviest gold coin in the world. Although it has a face value of 1 million Australian dollars, its gold content alone is worth tens of millions at current market prices. The coin features a red kangaroo on one side and Queen Elizabeth II on the other.
Big Maple Leaf
- Minted by: Royal Canadian Mint
- Year issued: 2007
- Weight: 100 kg (3,215 troy oz)
- Diameter: 53 cm (20.9 in)
- Purity: 99.999% pure gold
- Face value: 1 million CAD
This coin was the largest in the world until Australia took the title. Only five were ever made. One of the coins was stolen from a Berlin museum in 2017 and never recovered.
The World’s Smallest Coins
Croatian Mint’s Hum Gold Coin
- Minted by: The Croatian Mint
- Year issued: 2022
- Weight: 0.05 grams
- Diameter: 1.99 mm
- Composition: Gold
- Face Value: 1 Croatian kuna
- Design: Depicts the motif of Hum, the world’s smallest town, and the Boškarin, a native cattle breed from Istria
- Record: Certified by Guinness World Records as the smallest commemorative coin ever made
The Croatian Mint’s Hum gold coin was issued in 2022 to commemorate the town of Hum, the smallest town in the world. With a diameter of just 1.99 mm, this coin is a feat of minting precision and has garnered international attention for its size and craftsmanship. The coin was produced in a limited edition of 199 pieces and was sold as part of a gold numismatic set.
Swissmint’s ¼ Franc Albert Einstein Coin
- Minted by: Swissmint
- Year issued: 2020
- Weight: 0.063 grams
- Diameter: 2.96 mm
- Composition: Gold
- Face Value: ¼ Swiss franc
- Design: Features an image of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out on the obverse and the Swiss cross with the inscription “HELVETIA” on the reverse
- Record: Previously held the title of the world’s smallest commemorative coin until the Croatian Mint’s Hum gold coin surpassed it in 2024
The ¼ Franc Albert Einstein coin was issued in 2020 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Einstein’s Nobel Prize in Physics. Due to its minuscule size, the coin’s designs are not discernible to the naked eye, and special packaging with magnifying lenses was provided to view the coin. Only 999 pieces were minted, and they sold out rapidly.
Explore the Range of Coins at Pinehurst
The extremes of numismatic history, from the Perth Mint’s one-tonne gold coin to the Croatian and Swiss micro-coins, represent the physical and technical capacities of coin minting. These coins show impressive design and innovation.
At Pinehurst Coins, we understand the value behind unique and exceptional coins. We provide the expertise, authenticity, and selection that serious collectors rely on. You’ll be able to explore the full range of the numismatic world confidently.
Visit us at Pinehurst Coins to explore rare and high-quality collectible coins from around the globe.