1853 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

The 1853 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins were only made at the Philadelphia and Dahlonega (D) mints. The Philadelphia mint produced huge quantities, nearly 1.5 million and Dahlonega less than 4,000. While both Philadelphia and Dahlonega mint 1853 gold coins are scarce, those made at the Dahlonega mint are the scarcer in terms of overall availability; these coins were not saved in vast quantities to begin with, most having later been lost or melted.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, 1853 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins are numismatic gold coins that are collected by many who study and appreciate 19th-century coinage. The coin weighs 4.18 grams and has a diameter of 18 millimeters, roughly the size of a standard U.S. dime. These gold quarter eagle coins contain a total of 0.1202 ounces of gold.

Grading the 1853 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

Coins that have been graded by a professional and recognized grading company have been put through a rigorous process to determine the coin’s condition, authenticity and metal content. The process involves several detailed steps to accurately determine the coin’s physical condition to see how well it has stood up to the test of time. While much of the coin grading process is subjective in nature, a coin’s final grade is assigned by a team of coin grading experts who will use all available information to make an opinion about a coin’s grade. You can closely examine your coin, checking its details including edges, text and imagery, to get a good idea of what grade your coin may be assigned.

Use the specifications below to determine how your Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin might be graded.

Uncirculated: A coin in uncirculated condition will be close to perfect condition. This means that the coin’s details, such as images or text, will appear crisp and clean as if they were just struck. The coin’s edges will have the appropriate texture and the coin will show no signs of handling or abuse. Many coins in this condition will retain their original shine and luster, while some may have very slight discoloration due to aging. You can use a magnifying glass to visually inspect all of your coins details.

Extremely Fine: A coin in extremely fine condition is just one notch on the grading scale below uncirculated, and will also look as if new. Upon close inspection, these coins may have very miniscule blemishes or imperfections on the details or edge. In addition, the coin’s finish may be ever-so-slightly discolored. Nevertheless, coins given a grade of extremely fine are in top physical condition and remain visually appealing to collectors and investors.

Fine: Further down the grading ladder, a coin in fine condition may show age-related damage or general wear and tear. The coin’s surfaces may be slightly eroded from being handled over the years, and the coin’s finish may appear dull. The coin may feel slightly different to the touch due to erosion over time.

Good: Coins that are assigned a grade of good often have significant physical imperfections. The coin’s details-especially the finer ones-may be worn down or even absent. Sometimes, a coin in this condition may not be easily identified without the use of a magnifying glass or other visual aid. Even though coins in good condition may not be in the best shape, they may still have significant market value depending on year, type, relative scarcity and other factors.

Pricing the 1883 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

When it comes to trying to determine a price for the 1853 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, or any other coins for that matter, the first thing you must look at is the condition of the coin. Condition means everything to collectors so it only follows that those well-preserved pieces will sell for the highest prices. Secondly, because there were multiple types of coins produced annually, the exact type of coin also plays into how much the asking price will be. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what you can expect to pay for a 1853 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin given its grade and type.