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Really Starting to Like Liberty Gold Quarter Eagles $2.50

philographerphilographer Posts: 1,328 ✭✭✭✭✭

Look, they're not large coins, I get it. But they're gold, they're rich in history--the results of the gold rush, the mintages are relatively low, and the pops are low too. I'm not obsessive enough to focus on only one series or make a run of dates, etc...but I find these to be like eating salted popcorn, just reaching for another one...

$2.50 1867-S AU53 PCGS CAC

Mintage 28,000. At PCGS, 5 in this grade, 39 higher. CAC: 3 at this grade, 10 higher.

From David Akers (1975/88): Scarce in all grades and extremely rare better than EF. In fact, even strictly graded EF specimens are rare. Once again, the old reverse hub was used, and most known specimens are softly struck on the eagle's right leg. I have only seen two strictly uncirculated pieces. and perhaps half a dozen AU's. This date is tied with the 1865-S and 1866-S as having the fourth lowest average grade of any quarter eagle in our 226 catalogue auction survey. I consider this date, and all the early S mint quarter eagles, to be grossly undervalued.

I love the frost around the stars, and the overall look and pleasing color.


$2.50 1859 Old Reverse AU53+ PCGS CAC

Mintage 39,364. At PCGS 1 in this grade (as it's a +), 66 higher. At CAC: 2 in this grade, 13 higher.

Gordon Wrubel: Quickfinder Notes: There is a very simple way to distinguish the Old Reverse from the New Reverse die. Just look at the "O" in "OF". The Old Reverse has an OVAL "O", and the New Reverse has a ROUND "O". The branch mint issues of Dahlonega and San Francisco (none were issued by the Charlotte Mint in 1859), all use the Old Reverse die. The 1861 Old Reverse is about twice as rare as the New Reverse and carries a hefty premium.

This also has a pleasant color and a nice bit of dirt in the devices (especially the shield on the reverse).


2.50 1882 AU58 PCGS CAC

Surprisingly for a later date, and Philadelphia to boot, the mintage is only 4,000. At PCGS 43 in this grade, 84 higher. At CAC, 3 in this grade, 17 higher. So all in all it's not as rare as the mintage might suggest, but not common either.


I love original, "un-messed with" gold. The Liberty quarter eagles are a bit new for me (though I have a number of gold Indians).

From a collecting strategy I'm more attracted to lower mintages, natural color...attractive for the grade. I'm not keen on the idea of high grades in high pops (e.g. 1903 in MS65 or 66, etc.).

Any thoughts on the series? Feel free to post yours to this thread.

He who knows he has enough is rich.

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