Rare coin worth millions up for grabs at Orange County auction

ORLANDO, Fla. — A very rare, $20 coin is expected to be sold at auction in Orlando for millions.

The coin, described as one of the world's most beautiful, was designed at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Online bids have already reached $1.7 million, but it's expected to go for even more at an auction at the Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday.

"I've heard about it. I've look at it online, but this is actually my first time holding the coin, and it's remarkable. It's a really nice coin," said coin collector Ryan Cook of Heritage Auctions.

Cook said the coin was designed 108 years ago at the request of Roosevelt to stand out from other coins at the time.

Officials said the coin up for auction is in pristine condition and that it's the first time the coin is up for grabs in a public auction.

For years, the family of the sculptor who designed the coin owned it until selling it to the anonymous owner who is now putting it up for bid.

"I'm sure there (have) only been a handful of people in history that've touched this," said Cook.

Officials expect bidding to exceed $2 million.

"There's not very many $1 million coins, let alone $2 million coins, so it's a very unusual piece," said Cook.

The coin is one of many rare coins being auctioned in Orlando.

WFTV